GIFT   OF 
Mrs.   J.   Conness 


THE 


B  R  A  VO. 

1  Cult 

•  '  / 

BY     J.     FENIMORE      COOPER. 


Giostizia  in  palazzo,  e  pane  in  pit 


COMPLETE  Ijf  «g»2F/7.F.0  L  UMS. 


NEW    EDITION. 


NEW    YORK: 
STRINGER      AND      TOWNSEND. 

1856. 


s    J   C 
THE  BEAYO. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1831  by 
CAREY  &  LEA,  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  East 
ern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


fjp 


A57 

PREFACE. 


IT  is  to  be  regretted  the  world  does  not 
discriminate  more  justly  in  its  use  of  politi 
cal  terms.  Governments  are  usually  called 
either  monarchies  or  republics.  The  former 
class  embraces  equally  those  institutions  in 
which  the  sovereign  is  worshipped  as  a  God, 
and  those  in  which  he  performs  the  humble 
office  of  a  mannikin.  In  the  latter  we  find 
aristocracies  and  democracies  blended  in 
the  same  generic  appellation.  The  conse 
quence  of  a  generalization  so  wide  is  an 
utter  confusion,  on  the  subject  of  the  polity 
of  states. 

The  author  has  endeavored  to  give  his 
countrymen,  in  this  book,  a  picture  of  the 
social  system  of  one  of  the  soi-disant  re 
publics  of  the  other  hemisphere.  There  has 
been  no  attempt  to  portray  historical  cha 
racters,  only  too  fictitious  in  their  graver 
dress,  but  simply  to  set  forth  the  familial 
operations  of  Venetian  policy.  For  the 
justification  of  his  likeness,  after  allowing 
for  the  defects  of  execution,  he  refers  to  the 
well-known  work  of  M.  Daru. 
A2 


VI  PREFACE. 

A  history  of  the  progress  of  political  lib* 
erty,  written  purely  in  the  interests  of  hu 
manity,  is  still  a  desideratum  in  literature. 
In  nations  which  have  made  a  false  com 
mencement,  it  would  be  found  that  the  citi 
zen,  or  rather  the  subject,  has  extorted  im 
munity  after  immunity,  as  his  growing  intel 
ligence  and  importance  have  both  instructed 
and  required  him  to  defend  those  particular 
rights  which  were  necessary  to  his  well-being. 
A  certain  accumulation  of  these  immunities 
constitutes,  with  a  solitary  and  recent  excep 
tion  in  Switzerland,  the  essence  of  European 
liberty,  even  at  this  hour.  It  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  tell  the  reader  that  this  freedom, 
be  it  more  or  less,  depends  on  a  principle 
entirely  different  from  our  own.  Here  the 
immunities  do  not  proceed  from,  but  they 
are  granted  to,  the  government,  being,  in 
other  words,  concessions  of  natural  rights 
made  by  the  people  to  the  state,  for  the  ben 
efits  of  social  protection.  So  long  as  this 
vital  difference  exist  between  ourselves  and 
other  nations,  it  will  be  vain  to  think  of  find 
ing  analogies  in  their  institutions.  It  is  true 
that,  in  an  age  like  this,  public  opinion  is 
itself  a  charter,  and  that  the  most  despotic 
government  which  exists  within  the  pale  of 


PREFACE.  vil 

Christendom,  must,  in  some  degree,  respect 
its  influence.  The  mildest  and  justest  gov 
ernments  in  Europe  are,  at  this  moment, 
theoretically  despotisms.  The  character  of 
both  prince  and  people  enter  largely  into  the 
consideration  of  so  extraordinary  results, 
and  it  should  never  be  forgotten  that,  though 
the  character  of  the  latter  be  sufficiently 
secure,  that  of  the  former  is  liable  to  change. 
But,  admitting  every  benefit  which  can  pos 
sibly  flow  from  a  just  administration,  with 
wise  and  humane  princes,  a  government 
which  is  not  properly  based  on  the  people, 
possesses  an  unavoidable  and  oppressive  evil 
of  the  first  magnitude,  in  the  necessity  of 
supporting  itself  by  physical  force  and  oner 
ous  impositions,  against  the  natural  action 
of  the  majority. 

Were  we  to  characterize  a  republic,  we 
should  say  it  was  a  state  in  which  power, 
both  theoretically  and  practically,  is  derived 
from  the  nation,  with  a  constant  responsibil 
ity  of  the  agents  of  the  public  to  the  peo 
ple;  a  responsibility  that  is  neither  to  be 
evaded  nor  denied.  That  such  a  system  is 
better  on  a  large  than  on  a  small  scale,  though 
contrary  to  brilliant  theories  which  have 
been  written  to  uphold  different  institutions, 


viii  PREFACE 

must  be  evident  on  the  smallest  reflection, 
since  the  danger  of  all  popular  governments 
is  from  popular  mistakes,  and  a  people  of 
diversified  interests  and  extended  territorial 
possessions,  are  much  less  likely  to  be  the 
subjects  of  sinister  passions,  than  the  inhab 
itants  of  a  single  town,  or  county.  If  tc 
this  definition  we  should  add,  as  an  infallible 
test  of  the  genius,  that  a  true  republic  is  a 
government  of  which  all  others  are  jealous 
and  vituperative,  on  the  instinct  of  self-pre 
servation,  we  believe  there  would  be  no  mis 
taking  the  class.  How  far  Venice  would  have 
been  obnoxious  to  this  proof,  the  reader  is 
left  to  judge  for  himself. 


THE    BRAVO. 


CHAPTER  I. 

**  I  stood  in  Venice  on  the  Bridge  of  Sighs, 
A  palace  and  a  prison  on  each  hand ; 
I  saw  from  out  the  wave  her  structures  rise, 
As  from  the  stroke  of  the  enchanter's  wand : 
A  thousand  years  their  cloudy  wings  expand 
Around  me,  and  a  dying  glory  smiles 
O'er  the  far  times,  when  many  a  subject  land 
Look'd  to  the  winged  lions'  marhle  piles, 
Where  Venice  sate  in  state,  throned  on  her  hundred  isles." 

BYRON. 

THE  sun  had  disappeared  behind  the  summits  of 
the  Tyrolean  Alps,  and  the  moon  was  already  risen 
above  the  low  barrier  of  the  Lido.  Hundreds  of 
pedestrians  were  pouring  out  of  the  narrow  streets 
of  Venice  into  the  square  of  St.  Mark,  like  water 
gushing  through  some  strait  aqueduct,  into  a  broad 
and  bubbling  basin.  Gallant  cavalieri  and  grave 
cittadini ;  soldiers  of  Dalmatia,  and  seamen  of  the 
galleys ;  dames  of  the  city,  and  females  of  lighter 
manners ;  jewellers  of  the  Rialto,  and  traders  from 
the  Levant;  Jew,  Turk,  and  Christian;  traveller, 
adventurer,  podesta,  valet,  avvocato  and  gondolier, 
held  their  way  alike  to  the  common  centre  of  amuse 
ment.  The  hurried  air  and  careless  eye ;  the  mea 
sured  step  and  jealous  glance  ;  the  jest  and  laugh ; 
the  song  of  the  cantatrice,  and  the  melody  of  the 
flute ;  the  grimace  of  the  buffoon,  and  the  tragic 
frown  of  the  improvisatore ;  the  pyramid  of  the  gro 
tesque,  the  compelled  and  melancholy  smile  of  th 
harpist,  cries  of  water-sellers,  cowls  of  monks, 
plumage  of  warriors,  hum  of  voices,  and  the  univer 
sal  movement  and  bustle,  added  to  the  more  perma- 


10  THE   BRAVO. 

nent  objects  of  the  place,  rendered  the  scene  the 
most  remarkable  of  Christendom. 

On  the  very  confines  of  that  line  which  separates 
western  from  eastern  Europe,  and  in  constant  com 
munication  with  the  latter,  Venice  possessed  a 
greater  admixture  of  character  and  costume,  than 
any  other  of  the  numerous  ports  of  that  region.  A 
portion  of  this  peculiarity  is  still  to  be  observed, 
under  the  fallen  fortunes  of  the  place ;  but  at  the  pe 
riod  of  our  tale,  the  city  of  the  isles,  though  no 
longer  mistress  of  the  Mediterranean,  nor  even  of 
the  Adriatic,  was  still  rich  and  powerful.  Her  in 
fluence  was  felt  in  the  councils  of  the  civilized 
world,  and  her  commerce,  though  waning,  was  yet 
sufficient  to  uphold  the  vast  possessions  of  those 
families,  whose  ancestors  had  become  rich  in  the 
day  of  her  prosperity.  Men  lived  among  her  islands 
in  that  state  of  incipient  lethargy,  which  marks  the 
progress  of  a  downward  course,  whether  the  de 
cline  be  of  a  moral  or  of  a  physical  decay. 

At  the  hour  we  have  named,  the  vast  parallelo 
gram  of  the  piazza  was  filling  fast,  the  cafes  and 
casinos  within  the  porticoes,  which  surround  three 
of  its  sides,  being  already  thronged  with  company. 
While  all  beneath  the  arches  was  gay  and  brilliant 
with  the  flare  of  torch  and  lamp,  the  noble  range 
of  edifices  called  the  Procuratories,  the  massive 
pile  of  the  Ducal  Palace,  the  most  ancient  Christian 
church,  the  granite  columns  of  the  piazzetta,  the 
triumphal  masts  of  the  great  square,  and  the  giddy 
tower  of  the  campanile,  were  slumbering  in  the 
more  mellow  glow  of  the  moon. 

Facing  the  wide  area  of  the  great  square  stood  the 
quaint  and  venerable  cathedral  of  San  Marco.  A 
temple  of  trophies,  and  one  equally  proclaiming  the 
prowess  and  the  piety  of  its  founders,  this  remarka 
ble  structure  presided  over  the  other  fixtures  of  the 
t)lace,  like  a  monument  of  the  republic's  antiquity 


THE    BRAVO.  11 

and  greatness.  Its  Saracenic  architecture,  the  rows 
of  precious  but  useless  little  columns  that  load  its 
front,  the  low  Asiatic  domes  which  rest  upon  its 
walls  in  the  repose  of  a  thousand  years,  the  rude  and 
gaudy  mosaics,  and  above  all  the  captured  horses 
of  Corinth  which  start  from  out  the  sombre  mass  in 
the  glory  of  Grecian  art,  received  from  the  solemn 
and  appropriate  light,  a  character  of  melancholy 
arid  mystery,  that  well  comported  with  the  thick  re 
collections  which  crowd  the  mind  as  the  eye  gazes 
at  this  rare  relic  of  the  past. 

As  fit  companions  to  this  edifice,  the  other  pecu 
liar  ornaments  of  the  place  stood  at  hand.  The 
base  of  the  campanile  lay  in  shadow,  but  a  hundred 
feet  of  its  gray  summit  received  the  full  rays  of  the 
moon  along  its  eastern  face.  The  masts  destined 
to  bear  the  conquered  ensigns  of  Candia,  Constan 
tinople,  and  the  Morea,  cut  the  air  by  its  side,  in 
dark  and  fairy  lines,  while  at  the  extremity  of  the 
smaller  square,  and  near  the  margin  of  the  sea,  the 
forms  of  the  winged  lion  and  the  patron  saint  of 
the  city,  each  on  his  column  of  African  granite, 
we^e  distinctly  traced  against  the  back-ground  of 
the  azure  sky. 

It  was  nea  r  the  base  of  the  former  of  these  massive 
blocks  of  stone,  that  one  stood  who  seemed  to  gaze 
at  the  animated  and  striking  scene,  with  the  listless- 
ness  and  indifference  of  satiety.  A  multitude,  some 
in  masques  and  others  careless  of  being  known,  had 
poured  along  the  quay  into  the  piazzetta,  on  theii 
way  to  the  principal  square,  while  this  individual  had 
scarce  turned  a  glance  aside,  or  changed  a  limb  in 
weariness.  His  attitude  was  that  of  patient,  prac 
tised,  and  obedient  waiting  on  another's  pleasure 
With  folded  arms,  a  body  poised  on  one  leg,  and  a 
vacant  though  good-humored  eye,  he  appeared  to 
attend  some  beck  of  authority  ere  he  quitted  the 
spot.  -A  silken  jacket,  in  whose  tissue  flowers  of 


12  THE   BRAVO. 

the  gayest  colors  were  interwoven,  the  falling  col 
lar  of  scarlet,  the  bright  velvet  cap  with  armoriaJ 
bearings  embroidered  on  its  front,  proclaimed  him 
to  be  a  gondolier  in  private  service. 

Wearied  at  length  with  the  antics  of  a  distant 

troup  of  tumblers,  whose  pile  of  human  bodies  had 
>r  a  time  arrested  his  look,  this  individual  turned 
away,  and  faced  the  light  air  from  the  water.  Re 
cognition  and  pleasure  shot  into  his  countenance, 
and  in  a  moment  his  arms  were  interlocked  with 
those  of  a  swarthy  mariner,  who  wore  the  loose  at 
tire  and  Phrygian  cap  of  men  of  his  calling.  The 
gondolier  was  the  first  to  speak,  the  words  flowing 
from  him  in  the  soft  accents  of  his  native  islands. 

"  Is  it  thou,  Stefano !  They  said  thou  hadst  fallen 
into  the  gripe  of  the  devils  of  Barbary,  and  that  thou 
wast  planting  flowers  for  an  infidel  with  thy  hands, 
and  watering  them  with  thy  tears ! " 

The  answer  was  in  the  harsher  dialect  of  Cala 
bria,  and  it  was  given  with  the  rough  familiarity  of 
a  seaman. 

"  La  Bella  Sorrentina  is  no  housekeeper  of  a  cu- 
rato !  She  is  not  a  damsel  to  take  a  siesta  with  a 
Tunisian  rover  prowling  about  in  her  neighbor 
hood.  Hadst  ever  been  beyond  the  Lido,  thou 
wouldst  have  known  the  difference  between  chasing 
the  felucca  and  catching  her." 

"Kneel  down,  and  thank  San  Teodoro  for  his 
care.  There  was  much  praying  on  thy  decks  that 
hour,  caro  Stefano,  though  none  is  bolder  among 
the  mountains  of  Calabria  when  thy  felucca  is  once 
safely  drawn  upon  the  beach ! " 

The  mariner  cast  a  half-comic,  half-serious  glance 
upward  at  the  image  of  the  patron  saint,  ere  he  re 
plied. 

"  There  was  more  need  of  the  wings  of  thy  lion 
than  of  the  favor  of  thy  saint.  I  never  come  fur« 


THE  BRAVO.  13 

ther  north  for  aid  than  San  Gennaro,  even  when  it 
blows  a  hurricane." 

"So  much  the  worse  for  thee,  caro,  since  the 
good  bishop  is  better  at  stopping  the  lava  than  at 
quieting  the  winds.  But  there  was  danger,  then,  of 
losing  the  felucca  and  her  brave  people  among  the 
Turks?" 

"Theie   was,   in   truth,   a  Tunis-man  prowlin 
about,  between  Stromboli  and  Sicily;   but,  AH 
San  Michele !  he  might  better  have  chased  the  cloud 
above  the  volcano,  than  run  after  the  felucca  in  a 
sirocco !" 

"  Thou  wast  chicken-hearted,  Stefano?" 

"  I ! — I  was  more  like  thy  lion,  here,  with  some 
small  additions  of  chains  and  muzzles." 

"  As  was  seen  by  thy  felucca's  speed  ?" 

"  Cospetto !  I  wished  myself  a  knight  of  San  Gio 
vanni  a  thousand  times  during  the  chase,  and  La 
Bella  Sorrentina  a  brave  Maltese  galley,  if  it  were 
only  for  the  cause  of  Christian  honor !  The  mis 
creant  hung  upon  my  quarter  for  the  bette**  part  of 
three  glasses ;  so  near,  that  I  could  tell  which  of  the 
knaves  wore  dirty  cloth  in  his  turban,  and  which 
clean.  It  was  a  sore  sight  to  a  Christian,  Stefano, 
to  see  the  right  thus  borne  upon  by  an  infidel." 

"  And  thy  feet  warmed  with  the  thought  of  the 
bastinado,  caro  mio?" 

"  I  have  run  too  often  barefoot  over  our  Calabrian 
mountains,  to  tingle  at  the  sole  with  every  fancy  of 
that  sort." 

"  Every  man  has  his  weak  spot,  and  I  know  thine 
to  be  dread  of  a.  Turk's  arm.  Thy  native  hills  have 
their  soft  as  well  as  their  hard  ground,  but  it  is  said 
the  Tunisian  chooses  a  board  knotty  as  his  own 
heart,  when  he  amuses  himself  with  the  wailings  of 
a  Christian." 

"  Well,  the  happiest  of  us  all  must  take  such  ag 
fortune  brings.    If  my  soles  are  to  be  shod  with 
B 


14  THE   BRAVO. 

blows,  the  honest  priest  of  Sant'  Agata  will  be 
cheated  of  a  penitent.  I  have  bargained  with  the 
good  curato,  that  all  such  accidental  calamities  shall 
go  in  the  general  account  of  penance.  But  how 
fares  the  world  of  Venice  1 — and  what  dost  thou 
among  the  canals  at  this  season,  to  keep  the  flowers 
of  thy  jacket  from  wilting  V9 

"  To-day  as  yesterday,  and  to-morrow  will  be  as 
to-day.  I  row  the  gondola  from  the  Rialto  to  the 
Guidecca ;  from  San  Giorgio  to  San  Marco  ;  from 
San  Marco  to  the  Lido,  and  from  the  Lido  home. 
There  are  no  Tunis-men  by  the  way,  to  chill  the 
heart  or  warm  the  feet." 

"Enough  of  friendship.  And  is  there  nothing 
stirring  in  the  republic  ? — no  young  noble  drowned, 
nor  any  Jew  hanged?" 

"Nothing  of  that  much  interest — except  the 
calamity  which  befell  Pietro.  Thou  rememberest 
Pietrillo  1  he  who  crossed  into  Dalmatia  with  thee 
once,  as  a  supernumerary,  the  time  he  was  suspect 
ed  of  having  aided  the  young  Frenchman  in  run 
ning  away  with  a  senator's  daughter  1 " 

"Do  I  remember  the  last  famine?  The  rogue 
did  nothing  but  eat  maccaroni,  and  swallow  the 
lachrymae  christi,  which  the  Dalmatian  count  had 
on  freight." 

"  Poverino !  His  gondola  has  been  run  down  by 
an  Ancona  man,  who  passed  over  the  boat,  as  if  it 
were  a  senator  stepping  on  a  fly." 

"  So  much  for  little  fish  coming  into  deep  water." 

"  The  honest  fellow  was  crossing  the  Guidecca, 
with  a  stranger  who  had  occasion  to  say  his  pray 
ers  at  the  Redentore,  when  the  brig  hit  him  in  the 
canopy,  and  broke  up  the  gondola  as  if  it  had  been 
a  bubble  left  by  the  Bucentaur." 

"  The  padrone  should  have  been  too  generous  to 
complain  of  Pietro's  clumsiness,  since  it  met  with 
its  own  punishment" 


THE   BRAVO  15 

Madre  di  Dio !  He  went  to  sea  that  hour,  or  he 
might  be  feeding  the  fishes  of  the  Lagunes !  There 
is  not  a  gondolier  in  Venice  who  did  not  feel  the 
wrong  at  his  heart ;  and  we  know  how  to  obtain 
justice  for  an  insult,  as  well  as  our  masters." 

"  Well,  a  gondola  is  mortal,  as  well  as  a  felucca, 
and  both  have  their  time ;  better  die  by  the  prow 
of  a  brig,  than  fall  into  the  gripe  of  a  Turk. — How 
is  thy  young  master,  Gino  1  and  is  he  likely  to  obtain 
his  claims  of  the  senate  1 " 

"  He  cools  himself  in  the  Giudecca  in  the  morn 
ing  ;  and  if  thou  would'st  know  what  he  does  at 
evening,  thou  hast  only  to  look  among  the  nobles  in 
the  Broglio." 

Ab  the  gondolier  spoke,  he  glanced  an  eye  aside, 
at  a  group  of  patrician  rank,  who  paced  the  gloomy 
arcades  which  supported  the  superior  walls  of  the 
doge's  palace,  a  spot  sacred,  at  times,  to  the  uses  of 
the  privileged. 

"  I  am  no  stranger  to  the  habit  thy  Venetian  no 
bles  have  of  coming  to.  that  low  colonnade  at  this 
hour,  but  I  never  before  heard  of  their  preferring 
the  waters  of  the  Giudecca  for  their  baths." 

"  Were  even  the  doge  to  throw  himself  out  of  a 
gondola,  he  must  sink  or  swim,  like  a  meaner  Chris 
tian." 

"Acqua  dell'  Adriatico!  Was  the  young  duca 
going  to  the  Redentore,  too,  to  say  his  prayers  1 " 

"  He  was  coming  back  after  having — but  what 
matters  it  in  what  canal  a  young  noble  sighs  away 
the  night !  We  happened  to  be  near  when  the  An- 
cona-man  performed  his  feat :  while  Giorgio  and  I 
were  boiling  with  rage  at  the  awkwardness  of  the 
stranger,  my  master,  who  never  had  much  taste  or 
knowledge  in  gondolas,  went  into  the  water  to  save 
the  young  lady  from  sharing  the  fate  of  her  uncle." 

"  Diavolo !    This  is  the  first  syllable  thou  hast  ut- 


16  THE   BRAVO. 

tered  concerning  any  young  lady,  or  of  the  death 
of  her  uncle!" 

"  Thou  wert  thinking  of  thy  Tunis-man,  and  hast 
forgotten.  I  must  have  told  thee  how  near  the 
beautiful  signora  was  to  sharing  the  fate  of  the  gon 
dola,  and  how  the  loss  of  the  Roman  marchese 
weighs,  in  addition,  on  the  soul  of  the  padrone." 

"  Santo  Padre  !  That  a  Christian  should  die  the 
death  of  a  hunted  dog  by  the  carelessness  of  a  gon 
dolier!" 

"  It  may  have  been  lucky  for  the  Ancona-man  that 
it  so  fell  out,  for  they  say  the  Roman  was  one  of  in 
fluence  enough  to  make  a  senator  cross  the  Bridge 
of  Sighs,  at  need." 

"  The  devil  take  all  careless  watermen,  say  I ! — 
And  what  became  of  the  awkward  rogue?" 

"  I  tell  thee  he  went  outside  the  Lido,  that  very 
hour,  or — " 

"Pietrello?" 

"  He  was  brought  up  by  the  oar  of  Giorgio,  for 
both  of  us  were  active  in  saving  the  cushions  and 
other  valuables." 

"  Could'st  thou  do  nothing  for  the  poor  Roman  1 
111  luck  may  follow  that  brig  on  account  of  his 
death!" 

"  111  luck  follow  her,  say  I,  till  she  lays  her  bones 
on  some  rock  that  is  harder  than  the  heart  of 
her  padrone.  As  for  the  stranger,  we  could  do  no 
more  than  offer  up  a  prayer  to  San  Teodoro,  since 
ne  never  rose  after  the  blow.  But  what  has  brought 
thee  to  Venice,  caro  mio  ?  for  thy  ill-fortune  with 
the  oranges,  in  the  last  vcyage,  caused  thee  to  de 
nounce  the  place." 

The  Calabrian  laid  a  finger  on  one  cheek,  and 
drew  the  skin  down,  in  a  manner  to  give  a  droll 
expression  to  his  dark,  comic  eye,  while  the  whole 
of  his  really  fine  Grecian  face  was  charged  with  an 
expression  of  coarse  humor. 


THE  BRAVO  If 

•'Look  you,  Gino — thy  master  sometimes  calls 
for  his  gondola  between  sunset  and  morning?" 

"  An  owl  is  not  more  wakeful  than  he  has  been  of 
late.  This  head  of  mine  has  not  been  on  a  pillow 
before  the  sun  has  corne  above  the  Lido,  since  the 
snows  melted  from  Monselice." 

"  And  when  the  sun  of  thy  master's  countenance 
sets  in  his  own  palazzo,  thou  hastenest  off  to  the 
bridge  of  the  Rialto,  among  the  jewellers  and  butch 
ers,  to  proclaim  the  manner  in  which  he  passed  the 
night?" 

"Diamine!  'Twould  be  the  last  night  I  served 
the  Duca  di  Sant'  Agata,  were  my  tongue  so  limber ! 
The  gondolier  and  the  confessor  are  the  two  privy- 
councillors  of  a  noble,  Master  Stefano,  with  this 
small* difference — that  the  last  only  knows  what  the 
sinner  wishes  to  reveal,  while  the  first  sometimes 
knows  more.  I  can  find  a  safer,  if  not  a  more 
honest  employment,  than  to  be  running  about  with 
my  master's  secrets  in  the  air." 

"  And  I  am  wiser  than  to  let  every  Jew  broker 
in  San  Marco,  here,  have  a  peep  into  my  charter- 
party." 

"  Nay,  old  acquaintance,  there  is  some  difference 
between  our  occupations,  after  all.  A  padrone  of  a 
felucca  cannot,  in  justice,  be  compared  to  the  most 
confidential  gondolier  of  a  Neapolitan  duke,  who 
has  an  unsettled  right  to  be  admitted  to  mo  council 
of  three  hundred." 

"  Just  the  difference  between  smooth  water  and 
rough — you  ruffle  the  surface  of  a  canal  with  a  lazy 
oar,  while  I  run  the  channel  of  Piombino  in  a  mist 
ral,  shoot  the  Faro  of  Messina  in  a  white  squall, 
double  Santa  Maria  de  Leuca  in  a  breathing'  Le 
vanter,  and  come  skimming  up  the  Adriatic,  before 
a  sirocco  that  is  hot  enough  to  cook  my  maccaroni, 
and  which  sets  the  whole  sea  boiling  worse  than  the 
caldrons  of  Scylla." 

B2 


18  THE   BRAVO. 

"  Hist ! "  eagerly  interrupted  the  gondolier,  who 
had  indulged,  with  Italian  humor,  in  the  controversy 
for  pre-eminence,  though  without  any  real  feelings 
"here  comes  one  who  may  think,  else,  we  shall 
have  need  of  his  hand  to  settle  the  dispute — Ec- 
colo!" 

The  Calabrian  recoiled  apace,  in  silence,  and 
stood  regarding  the  individual  who  had  caused  this 
hurried  remark,  with  a  gloomy  but  steady  air.  The 
stranger  moved  slowly  past.  His  years  were  under 
thirty,  though  the  calm  gravity  of  his  countenance 
imparted  to  it  a  character  of  more  mature  age. 
The  cheeks  were  bloodless,  but  they  betrayed  rather 
the  pallid  hue  of  mental  than  of  bodily  disease.  The 
perfect  condition  of  the  physical  man  was  sufficient 
ly  exhibited  in  the  muscular  fullness  of  a  body 
which,  though  light  and  active,  gave  every  indica 
tion  of  strength.  His  step  was  firm,  assured,  and 
even;  his  carriage  erect  and  easy>  and  his  whole 
mien  was  strongly  characterized  by  a  self-posses 
sion  that  could  scarcely  escape  observation.  And 
yet  his  attire  was  that  of  an  inferior  class.  A 
doublet  of  common  ^elvet,  a  dark  Montero  cap, 
such  as  was  then  much  used  in  the  southern  coun 
tries  of  Europe,  with  other  vestments  of  a  similar 
fashion,  composed  his  dress.  The  face  was  melan 
choly  rather  than  sombre,  and  its  perfect  repose  ac 
corded  well  with  the  striking  calmness  of  the  body. 
The  lineaments  of  the  former,  however,  were  bold 
and  even  noble,  exhibiting  that  strong  and  manly 
outline  which  is  so  characteristic  of  the  finer  class 
of  the  Italian  countenance.  Out  of  this  striking  ar 
ray  of  features  gleamed  an  eye,  that  was  full  of 
brilliancy,  meaning,  and  passion. 

As  the  stranger  passed,  his  glittering  organs  rolled 
over  the  persons  of  the  gondolier  and  his  com 
panion,  but  the  look,  though  searching,  was  entirely 
without  interest  'Twas  the  wandering  but  wary 


THE  BRAVO.  19 

glance,  which  men,  who  have  much  reason  to  dis- 
trust,  habitually  cast  on  a  multitude.  It  turned,  with 
the  same  jealous  keenness,  on  the  face  of  the  next  it 
encountered,  and  by  the  time  the  steady  and  well-bal 
anced  form  was  lost  in  the  crowd,  that  quick  and 
glowing  eye  had  gleamed,  in  the  same  rapid  and 
uneasy  manner,  on  twenty  others. 

Neither  the  gondolier  nor  the  mariner  of  Cala 
bria  spoke,  until  their  riveted  gazes  after  the  retiring 
figure,  became  useless.  Then  the  former  simply 
ejaculatfctl,  with  a  strong  respiration — 

"Jacopo!" 

His  companion  raised  three  of  his  fingers,  with 
an  occult  meaning,  towards  the  palace  of  the  doges. 

"  Do  they  let  him  take  the  air,  even  in  San  Mar 
co?"  he  asked,  in  unfeigned  surprise. 

"  It  is  not  easy,  caro  amico,  to  make  water  run 
up  stream,  or  to  stop  the  downward  current.  It  is 
said  that  most  of  the  senators  wculd  sooner  lose 
their  hopes  of  the  horned  bonnet,  than  lose  him.  Ja 
copo  !  He  knows  more  family  secrets  than  the  good 
Priore  of  San  Marco  himself,  and  he,  poor  man,  is 
half  his  time  in  the  confessional." 

"  Ay,  they  are  afraid  to  put  him  in  an  iron  jacket, 
lest  awkward  secrets  should  be  squeezed  out." 

"  Corpo  di  Bacco !  there  would  be  little  peace  in 
Venice,  if  the  Council  of  Three  should  take  it  into 
their  heads  to  loosen  the  tongue  of  yonder  man  in 
that  rude  manner." 

"  But  they  say,  Gino,  that  thy  Council  of  Three 
has  a  fashion  of  feeding  the  fishes  of  the  Lagunes, 
which  might  throw  the  suspicion  of  his  death  on 
some  unhappy  Ancona-man,  were  the  body  ever  to 
come  up  again." 

"  Well,  no  need  of  bawling  it  aloud,  as  if  thou 
wert  hailing  a  Sicilian  through  thy  trumpet,  though 
the  fact  should  be  so.  To  say  the  truth,  there  aie 
few  men  in  business  who  are  thought  to  have  more 


20  THE  BRAVO. 

custom  than  he  who  has  just  gone  up  the  piasr 
zetta." 

•«  Two  sequins  !"  rejoined  the  Calabrian,  enforcing 
his  meaning  by  a  significant  grimace. 

"  Santa  Madonna  !  Thou  forgettest,  Stefano,  that 
not  even  the  confessor  has  any  trouble  with  a  job 
in  which  he  has  been  employed.  Not  a  caratano 
less  than  a  hundred  will  buy  a  stroke  of  his  art. 
Your  blows,  for  two  sequins,  leave  a  man  leisure 
to  tell  tales,  or  even  to  say  his  prayers  half  the 
time." 

"Jacopo!"  ejaculated  the  other,  with  an  empha 
sis  which  seemed  to  be  a  sort  of  summing  up  of  all 
his  aversion  and  horror. 

The  gondolier  shrugged  his  shoulders,  with  quite 
as  much  meaning  as  a  man  born  on  the  shores  of 
the  Baltic  could  have  conveyed  by  words ;  but  he, 
too,  appeared  to  think  the  matter  exhausted. 

"  Stefano  Milano,"  he  added,  after  a  moment  of 
pause,  "  there  are  things  in  Venice  which  he,  who 
would  eat  his  maccaroni  in  peace,  would  do  well  to 
forget.  Let  thy  errand  in  port  be  what  it  may,  thou 
art  in  good  season  to  witness  the  regatta  which  will 
be  given  by  the  state,  itself,  to-morrow." 

" Hast  thou  an  oar  for  that  race?" 

"  Giorgio's,  or  mine,  under  the  patronage  of  San 
Teodoro.  The  prize  will  be  a  silver  gondola  to  him 
who  is  lucky  or  skilful  enough  to  win ;  and  then  we 
shall  have  the  nuptials  with  the  Adriatic." 

"Thy  nobles  had  best  woo  the  bride  well,  for 
there  are  heretics  who  lay  claim  to  her  good-will. 
I  met  a  rover  of  strange  rig  and  miraculous  fleet- 
aess,  in  rounding  the  headlands  of  Otranto,  who 
seemed  to  have  half  a  mind  to  follow  the  felucca  in 
her  path  towards  the  Lagunes." 

"  Did  the  sight  warm  thee  at  the  soles  of  thy  feet. 
Gino  dear?" 

"  There  was  not  a  turbaned  head  on  his  deck,  but 


THE  BRAVO  21 

every  sea-cap  set  upon  a  well-covered  poll  and  a 
shorn  chin.  Thy  Bucentaur  is  no  longer  the  bravest 
craft  that  floats  between  Dalmatia  and  the  islands, 
though  her  gilding  may  glitter  brightest.  There  are 
men  beyond  the  pillars  of  Hercules  who  are  not 
satisfied  with  doing  all  that  can  be  done  on  their  own 
coasts,  but  who  are  pretending  to  do  much  of  that 
which  can  be  done  on  ours." 

"The  republic  is  a  little  aged,  caro,  and  years 
need  rest.  The  joints  of  the  Bucentaur  are  racked 
by  time  and  many  voyages  to  the  Lido.  I  have 
heard  my  master  say  that  the  leap  of  the  winged 
lion  is  not  as  far  as  it  was,  even  in  his  young  days." 

"Don  Camillo  has  fie  reputation  of  talking  boldly 
of  the  foundation  of  this  city  of  piles,  when  he  has 
the  roof  of  old  Sanf  Agata  safely  over  his  head. 
Were  he  to  speak  more  reverently  of  the  horned 
bonnet,  and  of  the  Council  of  Three,  his  pretensions 
to  succeed  to  the  rights  of  his  forefathers  might  seem 
juster  in  the  eyes  of  his  judges.  But  distance  is  a 
great  mellower  of  colors,  and  softener  of  fears.  My 
own  opinion  of  the  speed  of  the  felucca,  and  of 
the  merits  of  a  Turk,  undergo  changes  of  this  sort 
between  port  and  the  open  sea ;  and  I  have  known 
thee,  good  Gino,  forget  San  Teodoro,  and  bawl  as 
lustily  to  San  Gennaro,  when  at  Naples,  as  if  thou 
really  fancied  thyself  in  danger  from  the  mountain." 

"  One  must  speak  to  those  at  hand,  in  order  to  be 
quickest  heard,"  rejoined  the  gondolier,  casting  a 
glance  that  was  partly  humorous,  and  not  without 
superstition,  upwards  at  the  image  which  crowned 
the  granite  column  against  whose  pedestal  he  still 
leaned.  "  A  truth  which  warns  us  to  be  prudent 
for  yonder  Jew  cast  a  look  this  way,  as  if  he  felt  a 
conscientious  scruple  in  letting  any  irreverend  re 
mark  of  ours  go  without  reporting.  The  bearded 
old  rogue  is  said  to  have  other  dealings  with  the 
Three  Hundred  besides  asking  for  the  moneys  he 


22  THE  BRAVO. 

has  lent  to  their  sons.  And  so,  Stefano,  thou  think 
est  the  republic  will  never  plant  another  mast  of  tri 
umph  in  San  Marco,  or  bring  more  trophies  to  the 
venerable  church?" 

"Napoli  herself,  with  her  constant  change  of 
masters,  is  as  likely  to  do  a  great  act  on  the  sea,  as 
thy  winged  beast,  just  now !  Thou  art  well  enough 
to  row  a  gondola  in  the  canals,  Gino,  or  to  follow 
thy  master  to  his  Calabrian  castle;  but  if  thou 
would'st  know  what  passes  in  the  wide  world,  thou 
must  be  content  to  listen  to  mariners  of  the  long 
course.  The  day  of  San  Marco  has  gone  by,  and 
that  of  the  heretics  more  north  has  come." 

"  Thou  hast  been  much,  of  late,  among  the  lying 
Genoese,  Stefano,  that  thou  comest  hither  with  these 
idle  tales  of  what  a  heretic  can  do.  Genova  la  Su- 
perba !  What  has  a  city  of  walls  to  compare  with 
one  of  canals  and  islands,  like  this  ? — and  what  has 
that  Apennine  republic  performed,  to  be  put  in  com 
parison  with  the  great  deeds  of  the  Queen  of  the 
Adriatic  ?  Thou  forgettest  that  Venezia  has  been — " 

"  Zitto,  zitto !  that  has  been,  caro  mio,  is  a  great 
word  with  all  Italy.  Thou  art  as  proud  of  the 
past,  as  a  Roman  of  the  Trastevere." 

"  And  the  Roman  of  the  Trastevere  is  right  Is 
it  nothing,  Stefano  Milano,  to  be  descended  from  a 
great  and  victorious  people?'* 

"  It  is  better,  Gino  Monaldi,  to  be  one  of  a  people 
which  is  great  and  victorious  just  now.  The  en 
joyment  of  the  past  is  like  the  pleasure  of  the  fool 
who  dreams  of  the  wine  he  drank  yesterday." 

"This  is  well  for  a  Neapolitan,  whose  country 
never  was  a  nation,"  returned  the  gondolier,  angrily. 
"  I  have  heard  Don  Camillo,  who  is  one  educated 
as  well  as  born  in  the  land,  often  say  that  half  of  the 
people  of  Europe  have  ridden  the  horse  of  Sicily 
and  used  the  legs  of  thy  Napoli,  except  those  who 
had  the  best  right  to  the  services  of  both." 


THE  BRAVO.  23 

*  Even  so ;  and  yet  the  figs  are  as  sweet  as  ever 
and  the  beccafichi  as  tender!  The  ashes  of  the 
volcano  cover  all!" 

"  Gino,"  said  a  voice  of  authority,  near  the  gon 
dolier. 

"  Signore." 

Ha  who  interrupted  the  dialogue  pointed  to  the 
boat,  without  saying  more. 

"A  rivederti,"  hastily  muttered  the  gondolier 
His  friend  squeezed  his  hand  in  perfect  amity — for, 
in  truth,  they  were  countrymen  by  birth,  though 
chance  had  trained  the  former  on  the  canals — and, 
at  the  next  instant,  Gino  was  arranging  the  cushions 
for  his  master,  having  first  aroused  his  subordinate 
brother  of  the  oar  from  a  profound  sleep. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Hast  ever  swam  in  a  gondola  at  Venice  ? 

SHAKSPEARE. 

WHEN  Don  Camillo  Monforte  entered  the  gondo 
la,  he  did  not  take  his  seat  in  the  pavilion.  With  an 
arm  leaning  on  the  top  of  the  canopy,  and  his  cloak 
thrown  loosely  over  one  shoulder,  the  young  noble 
stood,  in  a  musing  attitude,  until  his  dexterous  servi 
tors  had  extricated  the  boat  from  the  little  fleet 
which  crowded  the  quay,  and  had  urged  it  into  open 
water.  This  duty  performed,  Gino  touched  his 
scarlet  cap,  and  looked  at  his  master,  as  if  to  inquire 
the  direction  in  which  they  were  to  proceed.  He 
was  answered  by  a  silent  gesture,  that  indicated  th 
route  of  the  great  canal. 

"  Thou  hast  an  ambition,  Gino,  to  show  thy  skill 
in  the  regatta?"  Don  Camillo  observed,  when  they 
had  made  a  little  progress.  "The  motive  merits 


24  THE   BRAVO. 

success.    Thou  wast  speaking  to  a  stranger,  when 
I  summoned  thee  to  the  gondola?" 

"  I  was  asking  the  news  of  our  Calabrian  hills 
from  one  who  has  come  into  port  with  his  felucca , 
though  the  man  took  the  name  of  San  Gennaro  to 
witness  that  his  former  luckless  voyage  should  be 
the  last." 

"  How  does  he  call  his  felucca,  and  what  is  the 
name  of  the  padrone  ?  " 

"  La  Bella  Sorrentina,  commanded  by  a  certain 
Stefano  Milano,  son  of  an  ancient  servant  of  Sant1 
Agata.  The  bark  is  none  of  the  worst  for  speed, 
and  it  has  some  reputation  for  beauty.  It  ought  to 
be  of  happy  fortune,  too,  for  the  good  curato  recom 
mended  it,  with  many  a  devout  prayer,  to  the  Virgin 
and  to  San  Francesco." 

The  noble  appeared  to  lend  more  attention  to  the 
discourse,  which,  until  now,  on  his  part,  had  been 
commenced  in  the  listless  manner  with  which  a  su 
perior  encourages  an  indulged  dependant. 

"La  Bella  Sorrentina!  Have  I  not  reason  to 
know  the  bark  1 " 

"Nothing  more  true,  Signore.  Her  padione  has 
relations  at  Sant'  Agata,  as  I  have  told  your  eccel- 
lenza,  and  his  vessel  has  lain  on  the  beach,  near  the 
castle,  many  a  bleak  winter." 

"  What  brings  him  to  Venice  ?" 

"  That  is  what  I  would  give  my  newest  jacket  of 
your  eccellenza's  colors  to  know,  Signore.  I  have 
as  little  wish  to  inquire  into  other  people's  affairs  as 
any  one,  and  I  very  well  know  that  discretion  is  the 
chief  virtue  of  a  gondolier.  I  ventured,  however, 
a  deadly  hint  concerning  his  errand,  such  as  an* 
cient  neighborhood  would  warrant,  but  he  was  ag 
cautious  of  his  answers  as  if  he  were  beighted 
with  the  confessions  of  fifty  Christians.  Now,  if 
your  eccellenza  should  see  fit  to  give  me  authority 
to  question  him,  in  your  name,  the  deuce  is  in't  if 


THE    BRAVO.  25 

between  respect  for  his  lord,  and  good  management, 
we  could  not  draw  something  more  than  a  false  bill 
of  lading  from  him." 

"  Thou  wilt  take  thy  choice  of  my  gondolas  for 
the  regatta,  Gino,"  observed  the  Duke  of  Sant 
Agata,  entering  the  pavilion,  and  throwing  himself 
on  the  glossy  black  leathern  cushions,  without  ad 
verting  to  the  suggestion  of  his  servant. 

The  gondola  continued  its  noiseless  course,  with 
the  sprite-like  movement  peculiar  to  that  description 
of  boat.  Gino,  who,  as  superior  over  his  fellow, 
stood  perched  on  the  little  arched  deck  in  the  stern, 
pushed  his  oar  with  accustomed  readiness  and  skill, 
now  causing  the  light  vessel  to  sheer  to  the  right, 
and  now  to  the  left,  as  it  glided  among  the  multitude 
of  crafts,  of  all  sizes  and  uses,  which  it  met  in  its 
passage.  Palace  after  palace  had  been  passed,  and 
more  than  one  of  the  principle  canals,  which  di 
verged  towards  the  different  spectacles,  or  the  other 
places  of  resort  frequented  by  his  master,  were  left 
behind,  without  Don  Camillo  giving  any  new  direc 
tion.  At  length  the  boat  arrived  opposite  to  a  build 
ing,  which  seemed  to  excite  more  than  common  ex 
pectation.  Giorgio  worked  his  oar  with  a  single 
hand,  looking  over  his  shoulder  at  Gino,  and  Gino 
permitted  his  blade  fairly  to  trail  on  the  water.  Both 
seemed  to  await  new  orders,  manifesting  something 
like  that  species  of  instinctive  sympathy  with  him 
they  served,  which  a  long  practised  horse  is  apt  to 
show  when  he  draws  near  a  gate,  that  is  seldom 
passed  unvisited  by  his  driver. 

The  edifice  which  caused  this  hesitation  in  the 
two  gondoliers,  was  one  of  those  residences  of  Ven 
ice,  which  are  quite  as  remarkable  for  their  exter 
nal  riches  and  ornaments,  as  for  their  singular  situ 
ation  amid  the  waters.  A  massive  rustic  basement 
of  marble  was  seated  as  solidly  in  the  element,  as 
if  it  grew  from  a  living  rock,  while  story  was  seem- 
C 


26  THE    BRAVO. 

ingiy  raised  on  story,  in  the  wanton  observance  of 
the  most  capricious  rules  of  meretricious  architec 
ture,  until  the  pile  reached  an  altitude  that  is  little 
known,  except  in  the  dwellings  of  princes.  Colon 
nades,  medallions,  and  massive  cornices,  overhung 
the  canal,  as  if  the  art  of  man  had  taken  pride  in 
loading  the  superstructure  in  a  manner  to  mock  the- 
unstable  element  which  concealed  its  base.  A  flight 
of  steps,  on  which  each  gentle  undulation  produced 
by  the  passage  of  the  barge  washed  a  wave,  con 
ducted  to  a  vast  vestibule,  that  answered  many  of 
the  purposes  of  a  court.  Two  or  three  gondolas 
were  moored  near,  but  the  absence  of  their  people 
showed  they  were  for  the  use  of  those  who  dwelt 
within.  The  boats  were  protected  from  rough  col 
lision  with  the  passing  craft,  by  piles  driven  oblique 
ly  into  the  bottom.  Similar  spars,  with  painted  and 
ornamented  heads,  that  sometimes  bore  the  colors 
and  arms  of  the  proprietor,  formed  a  sort  of  little 
haven  for  the  gondolas  of  the  household,  before  the 
door  of  every  dwelling  of  mark. 

"  Where  is  it  the  pleasure  of  your  eccellenza  to  be 
rowed  ? "  asked  Gino,  when  he  found  his  sympathetic 
delay  had  produced  no  order. 

"  To  the  Palazzo." 

Giorgio  threw  a  glance  of  surprise  back  at  his 
comrade,  but  the  obedient  gondola  shot  by  the 
gloomy,  though  rich  abode,  as  if  the  little  bark  had 
suddenly  obeyed  an  inward  impulse.  In  a  moment 
more,  it  whirled  aside,  and  the  hollow  sound,  caused 
by  the  plash  of  water  between  high  walls,  announc 
ed  its  entrance  into  a  narrower  canal.  With  short 
ened  oars,  the  men  still  urged  the  boat  ahead,  now 
turning  short  into  some  new  channel,  now  glancing 
beneath  a  low  bridge,  and  now  uttering,  in  the 
sweet  shrill  tones  of  the  country  and  their  craft,  the 
well-known  warning  to  those  who  were  darting  in 
an  opposite  direction.  A  back-stroke  of  Gino's  oar, 


THE    BRAVO  27 

however,  soon  brought  the  side  of  the  arrested  boat 
to  a  flight  of  steps. 

"  Thou  wilt  follow  me,"  said  Don  Camillo,  as  he 
placed  his  foot,  with  the  customary  caution,  on  the 
moist  stone,  and  laid  a  hand  on  the  shoulder  of  Gino ; 
"  I  have  need  of  thee." 

Neither  the  vestibule,  nor  the  entrance,  nor  the 
other  visible  accessories  of  the  dwelling,  were  so 
indicative  of  luxury  and  wealth  as  that  of  the 
palace  on  the  great  canal.  Still,  they  were  all  such 
as  denoted  the  residence  of  a  noble  of  consideration. 

"  Thou  wilt  do  wisely,  Gino,  to  trust  thy  fortunes 
to  the  new  gondola,"  said  the  master,  as  he  mounted 
the  heavy  stone  stairs,  to  an  upper  floor,  pointing  as 
he  spoke  to  a  new  and  beautiful  boat,  which  lay  in 
a  corner  of  the  large  vestibule,  as  carriages  are  seen 
standing  in  the  courts  of  houses  built  on  more  solid 
ground.  "  He  who  would  find  favor  with  Jupiter 
must  put  his  own  shoulder  to  the  wheel,  thou  know- 
est,  my  friend." 

The  eye  of  Gino  brightened,  and  he  was  voluble 
in  his  expression  of  thanks.  They  had  ascended  to 
the  first  floor,  and  were  already  deep  in  a  suit  of 
gloomy  apartments,  before  the  gratitude  and  profes 
sional  pride  of  the  gondolier  were  exhausted. 

"Aided  by  a  powerful  arm  and  a  fleet  gondola, 
thy  chance  will  be  as  good  as  another's,  Gino,"  said 
Don  Camillo,  closing  the  door  of  his  cabinet  on  his 
servant ;  "  at  present,  thou  mayest  give  some  proof 
of  zeal  in  my  service,  in  another  manner.  Is  the 
face  of  a  man  called  Jacopo  Frontoni  known  to 
thee?" 

"Eccellenza!"  exclaimed  the  gondolier,  gasping 
for  breath. 

"  I  ask  thee  if  thou  knowest  the  countenance  oi 
one  named  Frontoni  ?" 

"  His  countenance,  Signore ! " 

"By  what  else  would'st  thou  distinguish  a  man?" 


28  THE    BRAVO. 

•*  A  m?n,  Signer'  Don  Camillo  !" 

"Art  thou  mocking  thy  master,  Gino?  I  have 
asked  thee  if  thou  art  acquainted  with  the  person 
of  a  certain  Jacopo  Frontoni;  a  dweller  here  in 
Venice?" 

"  Eccellenza,  yes." 

"  He  I  mean  has  been  long  remarked  by  the  mis 
fortunes  of  his  family,  the  father  being  now  in  exile 
on  the  Dalmatian  coast,  or  elsewhere." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes." 

"  There  are  many  of  the  name  of  Frontoni,  and 
it  is  important  that  thou  should'st  not  mistake  the 
man.  Jacopo,  of  that  family,  is  a  youth  of  some 
five-and-twentr,  of  an  active  frame  and  melancholy 
visage,  and  of  less  vivacity  of  temperament,  than  is 
wont,  at  his  years." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes." 

"  One  who  resorts  but  little  with  his  fellows,  and 
who  is  rather  noted  for  the  silence  and  industry 
with  which  he  attends  to  his  concerns,  than  for  any 
of  the  usual  pleasantries  and  trifling  of  men  of  his 
cast.  A  certain  Jacopo  Frontoni,  that  hath  his 
abode  somewhere  near  the  arsenal?" 

"Cospetto!  Signer'  Duca,  the  man  is  as  well 
known  to  us  gondoliers,  as  the  bridge  of  the  Rialto ! 
Your  eccellenza  has  no  need  to  trouble  yourself  to 
describe  him." 

Don  Camillo  Monforte  was  searching  among  the 
papers  of  a  secretary.  He  raised  his  eyes  in  some 
little  amazement,  at  the  sally  of  his  dependant,  and 
.hen  he  quietly  resumed  his  occupation. 

"  If  thou  knowest  the  man,  it  is  enough." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes.  And  what  is  your  pleasure 
with  this  accursed  Jacopo?" 

The  Duke  of  Sant'  Agata  seemed  to  recollect  him 
self.  He  replaced  the  papers  which  had  been  de 
ranged,  and  he  closed  the  secretary. 

"  Gino,"  he  said,  in  a  tone  of  confidence  and  ami 


THE   BRAVO.  29 

ty,  "  thou  wert  born  on  my  estates,  though  so  long 
trained  here  to  the  oar  in  Venice,  and  thou  hast 
passed  thy  life  in  my  service." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes." 

"  It  is  my  desire  that  thou  should'st  end  thy  day 
where  they  began.  I  have  had  much  confidence  in 
thy  discretion,  hitherto,  and  I  have  satisfaction  in 
saying  it  has  never  failed  thee,  notwithstanding  thou 
hast  necessarily  been  a  witness  of  some  exploits  of 
youth,  which  might  have  drawn  embarrassment 
on  thy  master,  were  thy  tongue  less  disposed  to  si 
lence." 

"  Eccellenza,  yes." 

Don  Camillo  smiled ;  but  the  gleam  of  humor 
gave  way  to  a  look  of  grave  and  anxious  thought. 

"As  thou  knowest  the  person  of  him  I  have 
named,  our  affair  is  simple.  Take  this  packet,"  he 
continued,  placing  a  sealed  letter  of  more  than  usual 
size  into  the  hand  of  the  gondolier,  and  drawing 
from  his  finger  a  signet  ring,  "  with  this  token  of 
thy  authority.  Within  that  arch  of  the  Doge's  pal 
ace,  which  leads  to  the  canal  of  San  Marco,  beneath 
the  Bridge  of  Sighs,  thou  wilt  find  Jacopo.  Give 
him  the  packet ;  and  should  he  demand  it,  withhold 
not  the  ring.  Wait  his  bidding,  and  return  with  the 
answer." 

Gino  received  this  commission  with  profound  re 
spect,  but  with  an  awe  he  could  not  conceal.  Ha 
bitual  deference  to  his  master  appeared  to  struggle 
with  deep  distaste  for  the  o«ffice  he  was  required  to 
perform;  and  there  was  even  some  manifestation 
of  a  more  principled  reluctance,  in  his  hesitating 
yet  humble  manner.  If  Don  Camillo  noted  the  air 
and  countenance  of  his  menial  at  all,  he  effectually 
concealed  it. 

"  At  the  arched  passage  of  the  palace,  beneath 
the  Bridge  of  Sighs,"  he  coolly  added;   "and  let 
C2 


30  THE   BRAVO. 

thy  arrival  there  be  timed,  as  near  as  may  be,  to  the 
first  hour  of  the  night." 

"  I  would,  Signore,  that  you  had  been  pleased  to 
command  Giorgio  and  me  to  row  you  to  Padua!" 

"The  way  is  long.  Why  this  sudden  wish  to 
weary  thyself?' 

"  Because  there  is  no  Doge's  palace,  nor  any 
Bridge  of  Sighs,  nor  any  dog  of  Jacopo  Frontoni, 
among  the  meadows." 

"  Thou  hast  little  relish  for  this  duty ;  but  thou 
must  know  that  what  the  master  commands,  it  is 
the  duty  of  a  faithful  follower  to  perform.  Thou 
wert  born  my  vassal,  Gino  Monaldi,  and  though 
trained  from  boyhood  in  this  occupation  of  a  gon 
dolier,  thou  art  properly  a  being  of  my  fiefs,  in 
Napoli." 

"  St.  Gennaro  make  me  grateful  for  the  honor, 
Signore!  But  there  is  not  a  water-seller  in  the 
streets  of  Venice,  nor  a  mariner  on  her  canals,  who 
does  not  wish  this  Jacopo  anywhere  but  in  the  bo 
som  of  Abraham.  He  is  the  terror  of  every  young 
lover,  and  of  all  the  urgent  creditors  on  the  islands." 

"Thou  seest,  silly  babbler,  there  is  one  of  the 
former,  at  least,  who  does  not  hold  him  in  dread. 
Thou  wilt  seek  him  beneath  the  Bridge  of  Sighs, 
and,  showing  the  signet,  deliver  the  package  ac 
cording  to  my  instructions." 

"  It  is  certain  loss  of  character  to  be  seen  speak 
ing  with  the  miscreant !  So  lately  as  yesterday,  I 
heard  Annina,  the  pretty  daughter  of  the  old  wine- 
seller  on  the  Lido,  declare,  that  to  be  seen  once  in 
company  with  Jacopo  Frontoni  was  as  bad  as  to  be 
caught  twice  bringing  old  rope  from  the  arsenal,  as 
befell  Roderigo,  her  mother's  cousin." 

"Thy  distinctions  savor  of  the  morals  of  the 
Lido.  Remember  to  exhibit  the  ring,  lest  he  distrust 
thy  errand." 

"  Could  not  your  eccellenza  set  me  about  clipping 


TIIE    BRAVO.  31 

the  wings  of  the  lion,  or  painting  a  better  picture 
than  Tiziano  di  Vecelli  ?  I  have  a  mortal  dislike 
even  to  pass  the  mere  compliments  of  the  day  with 
one  of  your  cut-throats.  Were  any  of  our  gondo 
liers  to  see  me  in  discourse  with  the  man,  it  might 
exceed  your  eccellenza's  influence  to  get  me  a  place 
in  the  regatta." 

"  If  he  detain  thee,  Gino,  thou  wilt  wait  his  plea  - 
sure ;  and  if  he  dismiss  thee  at  once,  return  hithei 
with  all  expedition,  that  I  may  know  the  result." 

"  I  very  well  know,  Signor  Don  Camillo,  that  the 
honor  of  a  noble  is  more  tender  of  reproach  than 
that  of  his  followers,  and  that  the  stain  upon  the 
silken  robe  of  a  senator  is  seen  farther  than  the 
spot  upon  a  velvet  jacket.  If  any  one  unworthy  of 
your  eccellenza's  notice  has  dared  to  offend,  here 
are  Giorgio  and  I,  ready,  at  any  time,  to  show  how 
deeply  we  can  feel  an  indignity  which  touches  oui 
master's  credit;  but  a  hireling  of  two,  or  ten,  or 
even  of  a  hundred  sequins ! " 

"  I  thank  thee  for  the  hint,  Gino.  Go  thou  and 
aieep  in  thy  gondola,  and  bid  Giorgio  come  into  my 
cabinet." 

"Signore!" 

"Art  thou  resolute  to  do  none  of  my  biddings?" 

"  Is  it  your  eccellenza's  pleasure  that  I  go  to  the 
Bridge  ot  Sighs  by  the  footways  of  the  streets,  ox 
by  the  canals  ? " 

"  There  may  be  need  of  a  gondola — thou  wilt  go 
with  the  oar." 

"  A  tumbler  shall  not  have  time  to  turn  round  be 
fore  the  answer  of  Jacopo  shall  be  here." 

With  this  sudden  change  of  purpose,  the  gondo 
lier  quitted  the  room ;  for  the  reluctance  of  Gino  dis 
appeared  the  moment  he  found  the  confidential  duty 
assigned  him  by  his  master  was  likely  to  be  per 
formed  by  another.  Descending  rapidly,  by  a  se 
cret  stairs,  instead  of  entering  the  vestibule,  where 


32  THE    BRAVO. 

half-a-dozen  menials  of  different  employments  were 
in  waiting,  he  passed  by  one  of  the  narrow  corri 
dors  of  the  palace  into  an  inner  court,  and  thence 
by  a  low  and  unimportant  gate  into  an  obscure 
alley,  which  communicated  with  the  nearest  street. 

Though  the  age  is  one  of  so  great  activity  and 
intelligence,  and  the  Atlantic  is  no  longer  a  barrier 
even  to  the  ordinary  amusements  of  life,  a  great 
majority  of  Americans  have  never  had  an  opportu 
nity  of  personally  examining  the  remarkable  features 
of  a  region,  of  which  the  town  that  Gino  now 
threaded  with  so  much  diligence,  is  not  the  least 
worthy  of  observation.  Those  who  have  been  so 
fortunate  as  to  have  visited  Italy,  therefore,  will  ex 
cuse  us  if  we  make  a  brief,  but  what  we  believe 
useful,  digression,  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  have 
not  had  that  advantage. 

The  city  of  Venice  stands  on  a  cluster  of  low, 
sandy  islands.  It  is  probable  that  the  country  which 
lies  nearest  to  the  gulf,  if  not  the  whole  of  the  im 
mense  plain  of  Lombardy  itself,  is  of  alluvial  forma 
tion.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  origin  of  that 
wide  and  fertile  kingdom,  the  causes  which  have 
given  to  the  Lagunes  their  existence,  and  to  Venice 
its  unique  and  picturesque  foundation,  are  too  appa 
rent  to  be  mistaken.  Several  torrents,  which  flow 
from  the  valleys  of  the  Alps,  pour  their  tribute  into 
the  Adriatic  at  this  point.  Their  waters  come 
charged  with  the  debris  of  the  mountains,  pulverized 
nearly  to  their  original  elements.  Released  from 
the  violence  of  the  stream,  these  particles  have  ne 
cessarily  been  deposited  in  the  gulf,  at  the  spot 
where  they  have  first  become  subjected  to  the  pow 
er  of  the  sea.  Under  the  influence  of  counteract 
ing  currents,  eddies,  and  waves,  the  sands  have  been 
thrown  into  submarine  piles,  until  some  of  the  banks 
have  arisen  above  the  surface,  forming  islands, 
whose  elevation  has  been  gradually  augmented  by 


THE   BRAVO.  33 

the  decay  of  vegetation.  A  glance  at  the  map  will 
show  that,  while  the  Gulf  of  Venice  is  not  literally, 
it  is,  practically,  considered  with  reference  to  the 
effect  produced  by  the  south-east  wind  called  the  Si 
rocco,  at  the  head  of  the  Adriatic.  This  accidental 
circumstance  is  probably  the  reason  why  the  La- 
gunes  have  a  more  determined  character  at  the 
mouths  of  the  minor  streams  that  empty  themselves 
here,  than  at  the  mouths  of  most  of  the  other  rivers, 
which  equally  flow  from  the  Alps  or  the  Apennines, 
into  the  same  shallow  sea. 

The  natural  consequence  of  a  current  of  a  river 
meeting  the  waters  of  any  broad  basin,  and  where 
there  is  no  base  of  rock,  is  the  formation,  at  or  near 
the  spot  where  the  opposing  actions  are  neutralized, 
of  a  bank,  which  is  technically  called  a  bar.  The 
coast  of  the  Union  furnishes  constant  evidence  of 
the  truth  of  this  theory,  every  river  having  its  bar, 
with  channels  that  are  often  shifted,  or  cleared,  by 
the  freshets,  the  gales,  or  the  tides.  The  constant 
and  powerful  operation  of  the  south-eastern  winds 
on  one  side,  with  the  periodical  increase  of  the  Al 
pine  streams  on  the  other,  have  converted  this  bar 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Venetian  Lagunes,  into  a 
succession  of  long,  low,  sandy  islands,  which  extend 
in  a  direct  line,  nearly  across  the  mouth  of  the  gulf. 
The  waters  of  the  risers  have  necessarily  cut  a  few 
channels  for  their  passage,  or,  what  is  now  a  lagune, 
would  long  since  have  become  a  lake.  Another 
thousand  years  may  so  far  change  the  character  of 
this  extraordinary  estuary,  as  to  convert  the  chan 
nels  of  the  bay  into  rivers,  and  the  muddy  banks 
into  marshes  and  meadows,  resembling  those  that 
are  now  seen  for  so  many  leagues  inland. 

The  low  margin  of  sand  that,  in  truth,  gives  all 
its  maritime  security  to  the  port  of  Venice  and  the 
Lagunes,  is  called  the  Lido  di  Palestrino.  It  has 
been  artificially  connected  and  secured,  in  many 


34  THE   BRAVO. 

places,  and  the  wall  of  the  Lido  (literally  the  beach), 
though  incomplete,  like  most  of  the  great  and  vaunt 
ed  works  of  the  other  hemisphere,  and  more  par 
ticularly  of  Italy,  ranks  with  the  mole  of  Ancona, 
and  the  sea-wall  of  Cherbourg.  The  hundred  little 
islands  which  now  contain  the  ruins  of  what,  dur 
ing  the  middle  ages,  was  the  mart  of  the  Mediter 
ranean,,  are  grouped  together  within  cannon-shot 
of  the  natural  barrier.  Art  has  united  with  nature 
to  turn  the  whole  to  good  account ;  and,  apart  from 
the  influence  of  moral  causes,  the  rivalry  of  a 
neighboring  town,  which  has  been  fostered  by  po 
litical  care,  and  the  gradual  filling  up  of  the  waters, 
by  the  constant  deposit  of  the  streams,  it  would  be 
difficult  to  imagine  a  more  commodious,  or  a  safer 
haven  when  entered,  than  that  which  Venice  af 
fords,  even  to  this  hour. 

As  all  the  deeper  channels  of  the  Lagunes  have 
been  preserved,  the  city  is  intersected,  in  every  di 
rection,  by  passages,  which,  from  their  appearance, 
are  called  canals,  but  which,  in  truth,  are  no  more 
than  so  many  small  natural  branches  of  the  sea. 
On  the  margin  of  these  passages,  the  walls  of  the 
dwellings  arise  literally  from  out  of  the  water,  since 
economy  of  room  has  caused  their  owners  to  ex 
tend  their  possessions  to  the  very  verge  of  the  chan 
nel,  in  the  manner  that  quays  and  wharfs  are  pushed 
into  the  streams  in  our  own  country.  In  many  in 
stances  the  islands  themselves  were  no  more  than 
banks,  which  were  periodically  bare,  and  on  all, 
the  use  of  piles  has  been  necessary  to  support  the 
superincumbent  loads  of  palaces,  churches,  and 
public  monuments,  under  which,  in  the  course  of 
ages,  the  humble  spits  of  sand  have  been  made  to 
groan. 

The  great  frequency  of  the  canals,  and  perhaps 
some  attention  to  economy  of  labor,  has  given  to 
by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  buildings  the  facility 


THE    BRAVO.  35 

of  an  approach  by  water.  But,  while  nearly  every 
dwelling  has  one  of  its  fronts  on  a  canal,  there  are 
always  communications  by  the  rear  with  the  inte 
rior  passages  of  the  town.  It  is  a  fault  in  most  de 
scriptions,  that  while  the  stranger  hears  so  much 
of  the  canals  of  Venice,  but  little  is  said  of  her 
streets:  still,  narrow,  paved,  commodious,  and 
noiseless  passages,  of  this  description,  intersect  all 
the  islands,  which  communicate  with  each  other  by 
means  of  a  countless  number  of  bridges.  Though 
the  hoof  of  a  horse,  or  the  rumbling  of  a  wheel  is 
never  heard  in  these  strait  avenues,  they  are  of 
great  resort  for  all  the  purposes  of  ordinary  in 
tercourse. 

Gino  issued  into  one  of  these  thoroughfares,  when 
he  quitted  the  private  passage  which  communicated 
with  the  palace  of  his  master.  He  threaded  the 
throng  by  which  it  was  crowded,  with  a  dexterity 
that  resembled  the  windings  of  an  eel,  among  the 
weeds  of  the  Lagunes.  To  the  numerous  greetings 
of  his  fellows,  he  replied  only  by  nods ;  nor  did  he 
once  arrest  his  footsteps,  until  they  had  led  him 
through  the  door  of  a  low  and  dark  dwelling,  that 
stood  in  a  quarter  of  the  place  which  was  inhabited 
by  people  of  an  inferior  condition.  Groping  his 
way  among  casks,  cordage,  and  rubbish  of  all  de 
scriptions,  the  gondolier  succeeded  in  finding  an 
inner  and  retired  door,  that  opened  into  a  small 
room,  whose  only  light  came  from  a  species  of 
well,  that  descended  between  the  walls  of  the  adja 
cent  houses  and  that  in  which  he  was. 

"Blessed  St.  Anne!  Is  it  thou,  Gino  Monaldi!" 
exclaimed  a  smart  Venetian  grisette,  wnose  tones 
<md  manner  betrayed  as  much  of  coquetry  as  of 
surprise.  "  On  foot,  and  by  the  secret  door ;  is  this 
an  hour  to  come  on  any  of  thy  errands?" 

"  Truly,  Annina,  it  is  not  the  season  for  affairs 
with  thy  father,  and  it  is  something  early  for  a  visit 


36  TI1E    BRAVO. 

to  thee.  But  there  is  less  time  for  words  than  for 
action,  just  now.  For  the  sake  of  San  Teodoro, 
and  that  of  a  constant  and  silly  young  man,  who, 
if  not  thy  slave,  is  at  least  thy  dog,  bring  forth  the 
jacket  I  wore  when  we  went  together  to  see  the 
merry-making  at  Fusina." 

"  I  know  nothing  of  thy  errand,  Gino,  nor  of  thy 
reason  for  wishing  to  change  thy  master's  livery 
for  the  dress  of  a  common  boatman.  Thou  art  far 
more  comely  with  those  silken  flowers,  than  in  this 
faded  velveteen ;  and  if  I  have  ever  said  aught  in 
commendation  of  its  appearance,  it  was  because 
we  were  bent  on  merry-making,  and  being  one  of 
the  party,  it  would  have  been  churlish  to  have 
withheld  a  word  of  praise  to  a  companion,  who, 
as  thoti  knowest,  does  not  dislike  a  civil  speech  in 
his  own  praise." 

"  Zitto,  zitto  !  here  is  no  merry-making  and  com 
panions,  but  a  matter  of  gravity,  and  one  that 
must  be  performed  off-hand.  The  jacket,  if  thou 
lovest  me!" 

Annina,  who  had  not  neglected  essentials  while 
she  moralized  on  motives,  threw  the  garment  on  a 
stool,  that  stood  within  reach  of  the  gondolier's 
hand,  as  he  made  this  strong  appeal,  in  a  way  to 
show  that  she  was  not  to  be  surprised  out  of  a 
confession  of  this  sort,  even  in  the  most  unguarded 
moment. 

"  If  I  love  thee,  truly !  Thou  hast  the  jacket. 
Gino,  and  thou  mayest  search  in  its  pockets  for  an 
answer  to  thy  letter,  for  which  I  do  not  thank  thee 
for  having  got  the  duca's  secretary  to  indite.  A 
maiden  should  be  discreet  in  affairs  of  this  sor.t 
for  one  never  knows  but  he  may  make  a  confidant 
of  a  rival." 

"  Every  word  of  it  as  true  as  if  the  devil  him 
self  had  done  the  office  for  me,  girl,"  muttered  Gino, 
uncasing  himself  from  his  flowery  vestment,  and  as 


THE    BRAVO.  37 

rapidly  assuming  the  plainer  garment  he  had  sought. 
"  The  cap,  Annina,  and  the  mask?" 

"  One  who  wears  so  false  a  face,  in  common,  has 
little  need  of  a  bit  of  silk  to  conceal  his  counte 
nance,"  she  answered,  throwing  him,  notwithstand 
ing,  both  the  articles  he  required. 

"This  is  well — Father  Battista  himself,  who 
boasts  he  can  tell  a  sinner  from  a  penitent  merely 
by  the  savor  of  his  presence,  would  never  suspect 
a  servitor  of  Don  Camillo  Monforte  in  this  dress  i 
Cospetto !  but  I  have  half  a  mind  to  visit  that  knave 
of  a  Jew,  who  has  got  thy  golden  chain  in  pledge, 
and  give  him  a  hint  of  what  may  be  the  conse 
quences,  should  he  insist  on  demanding  double  the 
rate  of  interest  we  agreed  on." 

"  'Twould  be  Christian  justice !  but  what  would 
become  of  thy  matter  of  gravity  the  while,  Gino, 
and  of  thy  haste  to  enter  on  its  performance  ?" 

"  Thou  sayest  truly,  girl.  Duty,  above  all  other 
things ;  though  to  frighten  a  grasping  Hebrew  may 
be  as  much  of  a  duty  as  other  matters.  Are  all 
thy  father's  gondolas  in  the  water?" 

"  How  else  could  he  be  gone  to  the  Lido,  and 
nny  brother  Luigi  to  Fusini,  and  the  two  serving- 
men  on  the  usual  business  to  the  islands,  or  how 
else  should  I  be  alone  ? " 

"  Diavolo  !  is  there  no  boat  in  the  canal?" 

"  Thou  art  in  unwonted  haste,  Gino,  now  thou 
hast  a  mask  and  a  jacket  of  velvet !  I  know  not 
that  I  should  suffer  one  to  enter  my  father's  house, 
when  I  am  in  it  alone,  and  take  such  disguises  to  go 
abroad,  at  this  hour.  Thou  wilt  tell  me  thy  errand, 
that  I  may  judge  of  the  propriety  of  what  I  do." 

"  Better  ask  the  Three  Hundred  to  open  the 
leaves  of  their  book  of  doom !  Give  me  the  key  of 
the  outer  door,  girl,  that  I  may  go  my  way." 

"  Not  till  I  know  whether  this  business  is  likely  to 

D 


38  THE    BRAVO. 

draw  down  upon  my  father  the  displeasure  of  the 
senate.  Thou  knowest,  Gino,  that  I  am — " 

"  Diamine !  There  goes  the  clock  of  San  Marco 
and  I  tarry  past  my  hour.  If  I  am  too  late,  the 
fault  will  rest  with  thee !" 

"  'Twill  not  be  the  first  of  thy  oversights,  which 
it  has  been  my  business  to  excuse.  Here  thou  art, 
and  here  shalt  thou  remain,  until  I  know  the  errand 
which  calls  for  a  mask  and  jacket,  and  all  about 
this  matter  of  gravity." 

"  This  is  talking  like  a  jealous  wife,  instead  of  a 
reasonable  girl,  Annina.  I  have  told  thee  that  I  am 
on  business  of  the  last  importance,  and  that  delay 
may  bring  heavy  calamities." 

"  On  whom  ? — What  is  thy  business  ?  Why  art 
thou,  whom  in  general  it  is  necessary  to  warn  from 
this  house  by  words  many  times  repeated,  now  in 
such  a  haste  to  leave  it?" 

"  Have  I  not  told  thee,  girl,  'tis  an  errand  of 
great  concern  to  six  noble  families,  and  if  I  fail  to 
be  in  season,  there  may  be  a  strife — ay,  between 
the  Florentine  and  the  republic !" 

"  Thou  hast  said  nothing  of  the  sort,  nor  do  I 
put  faith  in  thy  being  an  ambassador  of  San  Marco. 
Speak  truth  for  once,  Gino  Monaldi,  or  lay  aside 
the  mask  and  jacket,  and  take  up  thy  flowers  of 
Sant'  Agata." 

*;  Well,  then,  as  we  are  friends,  and  I  have  faith 
in  thy  discretion,  Annina,  thou  shalt  know  the  truth 
to  the  extremity,  for  I  find  the  bell  has  only  tolled 
the  quarters,  which  leaves  me  yet  a  moment  for 
confidence." 

"  Thou  lookest  at  the  wall,  Gino,  and  art  con 
sulting  thy  wits  for  some  plausible  lie  !" 

"  I  look  at  the  wall  because  conscience  tells  rne 
that  too  much  weakness  for  thee  is  about  to  draw 
me  astray  from  duty.  What  thou  takcst  for  deceit 
is  only  shame  and  modesty." 


THE   BRAVO.  39 

"  Of  that  we  shall  judge,  when  the  tale  is  told." 

"  Then  listen.  Thou  hast  heard  of  the  affair 
between  my  master  and  the  niece  of  the  Roman 
Marchese,  who  was  drowned  in  the  Giudecca,  by 
the  carelessness  of  an  Ancona-man,  who  passed 
over  the  gondola  of  Pietro  as  if  his  felucca  had 
been  a  galley  of  state?" 

"  Who  has  been  upon  the  Lido,  the  month  past, 
without  hearing  the  tale  repeated,  with  every  varia 
tion  of  a  gondolier's  anger  1 " 

"  Well,  the  matter  is  likely  to  come  to  a  conclu 
sion  this  night ;  my  master  is  about  to  do,  as  I  fear, 
a  very  foolish  thing ! " 

"He  will  be  married?" 

"  Or  worse  ; — I  am  sent,  in  all  haste  and  secrecy 
in  search  of  a  priest." 

Annina  manifested  strong  interest  in  the  fiction 
of  the  gondolier.  Either  from  a  distrustful  temper 
ament,  long  habit,  or  great  familiarity  with  the 
character  of  her  companion,  however,  she  did  not 
listen  to  his  explanation  without  betraying  some 
doubts  of  its  truth. 

"  This  will  be  a  sudden  bridal  feast ! "  she  said, 
after  a  moment  of  pause. — "  'Tis  well  that  few  are 
invited,  or  its  savor  might  be  spoiled  by  the  Three 
Hundred !  To  what  convent  art  thou  sent  ? " 

"  My  errand  is  not  particular.  The  first  that  may 
be  found,  provided  he  be  a  Franciscan,  and  a  priest 
likely  to  have  bowels  for  lovers  in  haste." 

"  Don  Camillo  Monforte,  the  heir  of  an  ancient 
and  great  line,  does  not  wive  with  so  little  caution. 
Thy  false  tongue  has  been  trying  to  deceive  me, 
Gino;  but  long  use  should  have  taught  thee  the  folly 
of  the  effort.  Unless  thou  sayest  truth,  not  only 
shalt  thou  not  go  to  thy  errand,  but  here  art  thou 
prisoner  at  my  pleasure." 

"  I  may  have  told  thee  what  I  expect  will  shortly 
happen,  rather  than  what  has  happened.  But  Don 


40  THE   BRAVO. 

Carnillo  keeps  me  so  much  upon  the  water  of  late, 
that  I  do  Httle  beside  dream,  when  not  at  the  oar." 

"It  is  vain  to  attempt  deceiving  me,  Gino,  for 
thine  eye  speaketh  truth,  let  thy  tongue  and  brains 
wander  where  they  will.  Drink  of  this  cup,  and 
disburthen  thy  conscience,  like  a  man." 

"I  v/ould  that  thy  father  would  make  the  ac 
quaintance  of  Stefano  Milano ! "  resumed  the  gon 
dolier,  taking  a  long  breath,  after  a  still  longer 
draught.  "  'Tis  a  padrone  of  Calabria,  who  often 
times  brings  into  the  port  excellent  liquors  of  his 
country,  and  who  would  pass  a  cask  of  the  red 
lachryniEe  christi  through  the  Broglio  itself,  and  not 
a  noble  of  them  all  should  see  it.  The  man  is  here 
at  present,  and,  if  thou  wilt,  he  shall  not  be  long 
without  coming  into  terms  with  thee  for  a  few 
skins." 

"  I  doubt  if  he  have  better  liquors  than  this  which 
hath  ripened  upon  the  sands  of  the  Lido.  Take  an 
other  draught,  for  the  second  taste  is  thought  to  be 
better  than  the  first." 

"  If  the  wine  improve  in  this  manner,  thy  father 
should  be  heavy-hearted  at  the  sight  of  the  lees 
'T  would  be  no  more  than  charity  to  bring  him  and 
Stefano  acquainted." 

"  Why  not  do  it,  immediately  ?  His  felucca  is  in 
the  port,  thou  sayest,  and  thou  canst  lead  him  hithei 
by  the  secret  door  and  the  lanes." 

"  Thou  forgettest  my  errand.  Don  Camillo  is  not 
used  to  be  served  the  second.  Cospetto  !  'Twere  a 
pity  that  any  other  got  the  liquor  which  I  am  cer 
tain  the  Calabriari  has  in  secret." 

"  This  errand  can  be  no  matter  of  a  moment,  like 
that  of  being  sure  of  wine  of  the  quality  thou 
namest ;  or,  if  it  be,  thou  canst  first  dispatch  thy 
master's  business,  and  then  to  the  port,  in  quest 
of  Stefano.  That  the  purchase  may  not  fail,  I 
will  Cake  a  mask  and  be  thy  companion,  to  see 


THE   BRAVa  41 

the  Calabrian.  Thou  knowest  my  father  hath 
much  confidence  in  my  judgment  in  matters  like 
this." 

While  Gino  stood  half  stupified,  and  half  delight 
ed  at  this  proposition,  the  ready  and  wily  Annina 
made  some  slight  change  in  her  outer  garments 
placed  a  silken  mask  before  her  face,  applied  a  key 
to  the  door,  and  beckoned  to  the  gondolier  to  follow 

The  canal,  with  which  the  dwelling  of  the  wine- 
dealer  communicated,  was  narrow,  gloomy,  and 
little  frequented.  A  gondola  of  the  plainest  descrip 
tion  was  fastened  near,  and  the  girl  entered  it,  with 
out  appearing  to  think  any  further  arrangement  ne 
cessary.  The  servant  of  Don  Camillo  hesitated  a 
single  instant,  but  having  seen  that  his  half-meditated 
project  of  escaping  by  the  use  of  another  boat, 
could  not  be  accomplished  for  want  of  means,  he 
took  his  wonted  place  in  the  stern,  and  began  to  ply 
the  oar  with  mechanical  readiness. 


CHAPTER  III. 

What  well-appointed  leader  fronts  us  here  ? 

King  Henry  VI. 

THE  presence  of  Annina  was  a  grave  embarrass 
ment  to  Gino.  He  had  his  secret  wishes  and  limited 
ambition,  like  other  men,  and  among  the  strongest 
of  the  former,  was  the  desire  to  stand  well  in  the 
favor  of  the  wine-seller's  daughter.  But  the  artful 
girl,  in  catering  to  his  palate  with  a  liquor  that  was 
scarcely  less  celebrated  among  people  of  his  class 
for  its  strength  than  its  flavor,  had  caused  a  mo 
mentary  confusion  in  the  brain  of  Gino,  that  re 
quired  time  to  disperse.  The  boat  was  in  the  grand 
canal,  and  far  on  its  way  to  the  place  of  its  destina 
D2 


42  THE   BRAVO. 

tion,  before  this  happy  purification  of  the  intellects 
of  the  gondolier  had  been  sufficiently  effected.  By 
that  time,  however,  the  exercise  of  rowing,  the  fresh 
air  of  the  evening,  and  the  sight  of  so  many  accus 
tomed  objects,  restored  his  faculties  to  the  neces 
sary  degree  of  coolness  and  forethought.  As  the 
boat  approached  the  end  of  the  canal,  he  began  to 
cast  his  eyes  about  him  in  quest  of  the  well-known 
felucca  of  the  Calabrian. 

*  Though  the  glory  of  Venice  had  departed,  the 
trade  of  the  city  was  not  then  at  its  present  low  ebb. 
The  port  was  still  crowded  with  vessels  from  many 
distant  havens,  and  the  flags  of  most  of  the  mari 
time  states  of  Europe  were  seen,  at  intervals,  with 
in  the  barrier  of  the  Lido.  The  moon  was  now 
sufficiently  high  to  cast  its  soft  light  on  the  whole 
of  the  glittering  basin,  and  a  forest,  composed  of 
lattin  yards,  of  the  slender  masts  of  polacoas,  and 
of  the  more  massive  and  heavy  hamper  of  regularly 
rigged  ships,  was  to  be  seen  rising  above  the  tran 
quil  element. 

"  Thou  art  no  judge  of  a  vessel's  beauty,  Annina," 
said  the  gondolier,  who  was  deeply  housed  in  the 
.pavilion  of  the  boat,  "  else  should  I  tell  thee  to  look 
at  this  stranger  from  Candia.  'Tis  said  that  a  fairer 
model  has  never  entered  within  the  Lido  than  that 
same  Greek ! " 

"  Our  errand  is  not  with  the  Candian  trader, 
Gino  ;  therefore,  ply  thy  oar,  for  time  presses." 

"  There 's  plenty  of  rough  Greek  wine  in  his  hold ; 
but,  as  thou  sayest,  we  have  naught  with  him.  Yon 
tall  ship,  which  is  moored  without  the  smaller  craft 
of  our  seas,  is  the  vessel  of  a  Lutheran,  from  the 
islands  of  Inghilterra.  'Twas  a  sad  day  for  the  re 
public,  girl,  when  it  first  permitted  the  stranger  to 
come  into  the  waters  of  the  Adriatic !" 

"  Is  it  certain,  Gino,  that  the  arm  of  St.  Mark 
was  strong  enough  to  keep  him  out?" 


THE  BRAVO.  43 

"  Body  of  Diana!  I  would  rather  thou  didst  not 
ask  that    question  in  a  place  where  so  many  gondo 
las  are  in  motion !  Here  are  Ragusan,  Maltese,  Sici 
lians,  and  Tuscans,  without  number;   and  a  little 
fleet  of  French  lie  near  each  other,  there,  at  the  en 
trance  of  the  Giudecca.     They  are  a  people  wh 
get  together,  afloat  or  ashore,  for  the  benefit  of  th 
tongue.     Here  we  are,  at  the  end  of  our  journey." 

The  oar  of  Gino  gave  a  backward  sweep,  and 
the  gondola  was  at  rest,  by  the  side  of  a  felucca. 

"  A  happy  night  to  the  Bella  Sorrentina  and  her 
worthy  padrone ! "  was  the  greeting  of  the  gondo 
lier,  as  he  put  his  foot  on  the  deck  of  the  vessel. 
"  Is  the  honest  Stefano  Milano  on  board  the  swift 
felucca?" 

The  Calabrian  was  not  slow  to  answer ;  and  in  a 
few  moments  the  padrone  and  his  two  visitors  were 
in  close  and  secret  conference. 

"  I  have  brought  one,  here,  who  will  be  likely  to 
put  good  Venetian  sequins  into  thy  pocket,  caro." 
observed  the  gondolier,  when  the  preliminaries  of 
discourse  had  been  properly  observed.  "  She  is  the 
daughter  of  a  most  conscientious  wine-dealer,  who 
is  quite  as  ready  at  transplanting  your  Sicilian 
grapes  into  the  islands,  as  he  is  willing  and  able  to 
pay  for  them." 

"  And  one,  no  doubt,  as  handsome  as  she  is 
ready,"  said  the  mariner,  with  blunt  gallantry, 
"  were  the  black  cloud  but  fairly  driven  from  before 
her  face." 

"  A  mask  is  of  little  consequence  in  a  bargain, 
provided  the  money  be  forthcoming.  We  are  al 
ways  in  the  Carnival  at  Venice;  and  he  who 
would  buy,  or  he  who  would  sell,  has  the  same 
right  to  hide  his  face  as  to  hide  his  thoughts.  What 
hast  thou  in  the  way  of  forbidden  liquors,  Stefano, 
that  my  companion  may  not  lose  the  night  in  idle 
words?" 


44  THE    BRAVO 

"  Per  Diana !  Master  Gino,  thou  puttest  thy  ques 
tions  with  little  ceremony.  The  hold  of  the  felucca 
is  empty,  as  thou  mayest  see  by  stepping  to  the 
hatches ;  and  as  for  any  liquor,  we  are  perishing  foi 
a  drop  to  warm  the  blood." 

"  And  so  far  from  coming  to  seek  it  here,"  said 
Annina,  "  we  should  have  done  better  to  have  gone 
into  the  cathedral,  and  said  an  Ave,  for  thy  safe 
voyage  home.  And  now  that  our  wit  is  spent,  we 
will  quit  thee,  friend  Stefano,  for  some  other  less 
skilful  in  answers." 

"  Cospetto !  thou  knowest  not  what  thou  sayest,'; 
whispered  Gino,  when  he  found  that  the  wary  An 
nina  was  not  disposed  to  remain.  "  The  man  never 
enters  the  meanest  creek  in  Italy,  without  having 
something  useful  secreted  in  the  felucca,  on  his  own 
account.  One  purchase  of  him  would  settle  the 
question  between  the  quality  of  thy  father's  wines 
and  those  of  Battista.  There  is  not  a  gondolier  in 
Venice  but  will  resort  to  thy  shop,  if  the  intercourse 
with  this  fellow  can  be  fairly  settled." 

Annina  hesitated ;  long  practised  in  the  small,  but 
secret,  and  exceedingly  hazardous  commerce, 
which  her  father,  notwithstanding  the  vigilance  and 
severity  of  the  Venetian  police,  had  thus  far  suc 
cessively  driven,  she  neither  liked  to  risk  an  expo 
sure  of  her  views  to  an  utter  stranger,  nor  to  aban 
don  a  bargain  that  promised  to  be  lucrative.  Thai 
Gino  trifled  with  her,  as  to  his  true  errand,  needed 
no  confirmation,  since  a  servant  of  the  Duke  of 
JSant'  Agata  was  not  likely  to  need  a  disguise 
to  search  a  priest ;  but  she  knew  his  zeal  for  her 
personal  welfare  too  well,  to  distrust  his  faith  in  a 
matter  that  concerned  her  own  safety. 

"  If  thou  distrust  that  any  here  are  the  spies  of 
the  authorities,"  she  observed  to  the  padrone,  with  a 
manner  that  readily  betrayed  her  wishes,  "  it  will  be 
in  Gino's  power  to  undeceive  thee. — Thou  wilt  testi 


THE   BRAVO.  45 

fy,  Gino,  that  I  am  not  to  be  suspected  of  treachery 
in  an  affair  like  this." 

"  Leave  me  to  put  a  word  into  the  private  ear  of 
the  Calabrian,"  said  the  gondolier,  significantly. — 
*'  Stefano  Milano,  if  thou  love  me,"  he  continued, 
when  they  were  a  little  apart,  "  keep  the  girl  in 
parley,  and  treat  with  her,  fairly,  for  thy  adven 
ture." 

"  Shall  I  sell  the  vintage  of  Don  Camillo,  or  that 
of  the  Viceroy  of  Sicily,  caro  ?  There  is  as  much 
wine  of  each  on  board  the  Bella  Sorrentina,  as 
would  float  the  fleet  of  the  republic." 

"  If,  in  truth,  thou  art  dry,  then  feign  that  thou 
hast  it,  and  differ  in  thy  prices.  Entertain  her,  but 
a  minute,  with  fair  words,  while  I  can  get,  unseen, 
into  my  gondola ;  and  then,  for  the  sake  of  an  old 
and  tried  friend,  put  her  tenderly  on  the  quay,  in  the 
best  manner  thou  art  able." 

"  I  begin  to  see  into  the  nature  of  the  trade,"  re 
turned  the  pliant  padrone,  placing  a  finger  on  the 
side  of  his  nose.  "  I  will  discourse  the  woman  by 
the  hour,  about  the  flavor  of  the  liquor,  or  if  thou 
wilt,  of  her  own  beauty ;  but  to  squeeze  a  drop  of 
anything  better  than  the  water  of  the  Lagunes  out 
of  the  ribs  of  the  felucca,  would  be  a  miracle  wor 
thy  of  San  Teodoro." 

"  There  is  but  little  need  to  touch  on  aught  but 
the  quality  of  thy  wine.  The  girl  is  not  like  most  01 
her  sex,  and  she  takes  sudden  offence  when  there  is 
question  of  her  appearance.  Indeed,  the  mask  she 
wears  is  as  much  to  hide  a  face  that  has  little  to 
tempt  the  eye,  as  from  any  wish  at  concealment." 

"  Since  Gino  has  entered  frankly  into  the  matter," 
resumed  the  quick-witted  Calabrian,  cheerfully,  and 
with  an  air  of  sudden  confidence,  to  the  expectant 
Annina,  "  I  begin  to  see  more  probability  of  our  un 
derstanding  each  other's  meaning.  Deign,  bella 
donna,  to  go  into  my  poor  cabin,  where  we  will 


46  THE  BRAVO. 

speak  more  at  our  ease,  and  something  more  to  our 
mutual  profit,  and  mutual  security." 

Annina  was  not  without  secret  doubts,  but  she 
suffered  the  padrone  to  lead  her  to  the  stairs  of  the 
cabin,  as  if  she  were  disposed  to  descend.  Her 
back  was  no  sooner  turned,  than  Gino  slid  into  the 
gondola,  which  one  shove  of  his  vigorous  arm  sent 
far  beyond  the  leap  of  man.  The  action  was  sud 
den,  rapid,  and  noiseless ;  but  the  jealous  eye  of 
Annina  detected  the  escape  of  the  gondolier,  though 
not  in  time  to  prevent  it.  Without  betraying  uneasi 
ness,  she  submitted  to  be  led  below,  as  if  the  whole 
were  done  by  previous  concert. 

"  Gino  has  said  that  you  have  a  boat  which  will 
do  the  friendly  office  to  put  me  on  the  quay,  when 
our  conference  is  over,"  she  remarked,  with  a  pres 
ence  of  mind  that  luckily  met  the  expedient  of  her 
late  companion. 

"  The  felucca  itself  should  do  that  much,  were 
there  want  of  other  means,"  gallantly  returned  the 
mariner  when  they  disappeared  in  the  cabin. 

Free  to  discharge  his  duty,  Gino  now  plied  his 
task  with  redoubled  zeal.  The  light  boat  glided 
among  the  vessels,  inclining,  by  the  skilful  manage 
ment  of  his  single  oar,  in  a  manner  to  avoid  all  colli 
sion,  until  it  entered  the  narrow  canal  which  sepa 
rates  the  palace  of  the  Doge  from  the  more  beauti 
ful  and  classic  structure  that  contains  the  prisons  of 
the  republic.  The  bridge,  which  continues  the  com 
munication  of  the  quays,  was  first  passed,  and  then 
he  was  stealing  beneath  that  far-famed  arch  which 
supports  a  covered  gallery  leading  from  the  upper 
story  of  the  palace  into  that  of  the  prisons,  and 
which,  from  its  being  appropriated  to  the  passage 
of  the  accused  from  their  cells  to  the  presence  of 
their  judges,  has  been  so  poetically,  and,  it  may  be 
added,  so  pathetically  called  the  Bridge  of  Sighs. 

The  oar  of  Gino  now  relaxed  its  efforts,  and  the 


THE  BRAVO  47 

gondola  approached  a  flight  of  steps,  over  which, 
as  usual,  the  water  cast  its  little  waves.  Stepping 
on  the  lowest  flag,  he  thrust  a  small  iron  spike,  to 
which  a  cord  was  attached,  into  a  crevice  between 
two  of  the  stones,  and  left  his  boat  to  the  security 
of  this  characteristic  fastening.  When  this  little 
precaution  was  observed,  the  gondolier  passed  up 
lightly  beneath  the  massive  arch  of  the  water-gate 
of  the  palace,  and  entered  its  large  but  gloomy 
court. 

At  that  hour,  and  witn  the  temptation  of  the  gay 
scene  which  offered  in  the  adjoining  square,  the 
place  was  nearly  deserted.  A  single  female  water- 
carrier  was  at  the  well,  waiting  for  the  element  to 
filter  into  its  basin,  in  order  to  fill  her  buckets,  while 
her  ear  listened  in  dull  attention  to  the  hum  of  the 
moving  crowd  without.  A  halberdier  paced  the 
open  gallery  at  the  head  of  the  Giant's  Stairs,  and, 
here  and  there,  the  footfall  of  other  sentinels  might 
be  heard  among  the  hollow  and  ponderous  arches 
of  the  long  corridors.  No  light  was  shed  from  the 
windows ;  but  the  entire  building  presented  a  fit  em 
blem  of  that  mysterious  power  which  was  known 
to  preside  over  the  fortunes  of  Venice  and  her  citi 
zens.  Ere  Gino  trusted  himself  without  the  shadow 
of  the  passage  by  which  he  had  entered,  two  or 
three  curious  faces  had  appeared  at  the  opposite 
entrance  of  the  court,  where  they  paused  a  moment 
to  gaze  at  the  melancholy  and  imposing  air  of  the 
dreaded  palace,  before  they  vanished  in  the  throng 
which  trifled  in  the  immediate  proximity  of  that  se 
cret  and  ruthless  tribunal,  as  man  riots  in  security 
even  on  the  verge  of  an  endless  and  unforeseen 
future. 

Disappointed  in  his  expectation  of  meeting  him 
he  sought,  on  the  instant,  the  gondolier  advanced, 
and  taking  courage  by  the  possibility  of  his  escaping 
altogether  from  the  interview,  he  ventured  to  furnish 


48  THE  BRAVO. 

audible  evidence  of  his  presence  by  a  loud  hem. 
At  that  instant  a  figure  glided  into  the  court  from 
the  side  of  the  quay,  and  walked  swiftly  towards  its 
centre.  The  heart  of  Gino  beat  violently,  but  he 
mustered  resolution  to  meet  the  stranger.  As  they 
drew  near  each  other,  it  became  evident,  by  the  light 
of  the  moon,  which  penetrated  even  to  that  gloomy 
spot,  that  the  latter  was  also  masked. 

"  San  Teodoro  and  San  Marco  have  you  in 
mind !"  commenced  the  gondolier.  "  If  I  mistake 
not,  you  are  the  man  I  am  sent  to  meet." 

The  stranger  started,  and  first  manifesting  an  in 
tention  to  pass  on  quickly,  he  suddenly  arrested  the 
movement  to  reply. 

"  This  may  be  so,  or  not.  Unmask,  that  I  may 
judge  by  thy  countenance  if  what  thou  sayest  be 
true." 

"  By  your  good  leave,  most  worthy  and  honor 
able  Signore,  and  if  it  be  equally  agreeable  to  you 
and  my  master,  I  would  choose  to  keep  off  the  even 
ing  air  by  this  bit  of  pasteboard  and  silk." 

"  Here  are  none  to  betray  thee,  wert  thou  naked 
as  at  thy  birth.  Unless  certain  of  thy  character,  in 
what  manner  may  I  confide  in  thy  honesty?" 

"  I  have  no  distrust  of  the  virtues  of  an  undis 
guised  face,  Signore,  and  therefore  do  I  invite  you. 
yourself,  to  exhibit  what  nature  has  done  for  you  in 
the  way  of  features,  that  I,  who  am  to  make  the 
confidence,  be  sure  it  be  to  the  right  person." 

"  This  is  well,  and  gives  assurance  of  thy  pru 
dence.     I  may  not  unmask,  however  ;  and  as  there 
seemeth  little  probability  of  our  coming  to  an  un 
derstanding,  I  will  go  my  way.   A  most  happy  nigh 
to  thee." 

"Cospetto! — Signore,  you  are  far  too  quick  in 
vour  ideas  and  movements  for  one  little  used  to  ne 
gotiations  of  this  sort.  Here  is  a  ring  whose  signet 
may  help  us  to  understand  each  other." 


THE  BRAVO.  4!> 

The  stranger  took  the  jewel,  and  holding  the 
stone  in  a  manner  to  receive  the  light  of  the  moon, 
he  started  in  a  manner  to  betray  both  surprise  and 
pleasure. 

"  This  is  the  falcon  crest  of  the  Neapolitan — he 
that  is  the  lord  of  Sant'  Agata  !" 

"And  of  many  other  fiefs,  good  Signore,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  honors  he  claims  in  Venice.  Am  I 
right  in  supposing  my  errand  with  you?" 

"  Thou  hast  found  one  whose  present  business 
has  no  other  object  than  Don  Camillo  Monforte. 
But  thy  errand  was  not  solely  to  exhibit  the  signet?" 

"  So  little  so,  that  I  have  a  packet  here  which 
waits  only  for  a  certainty  of  the  person  with  whom 
I  speak,  to  be  placed  into  his  hands." 

The  stranger  mused  a  moment ;  then  glancing  a 
look  about  him,  he  answered  hurriedly — 

"  This  is  no  place  to  unmask,  friend,  even  though 
we  only  wear  our  disguises  in  pleasantry.  Tarry 
here,  and  at  my  return  I  will  conduct  thee  to  a  more 
fitting  spot." 

The  words  were  scarcely  uttered  when  Gino 
found  himself  standing  in  the  middle  of  the  court 
alone.  The  masked  stranger  had  passed  swiftly  on, 
and  was  at  the  bottom  of  the  Giant's  Stairs,  ere  the 
gondolier  had  time  for  reflection.  He  ascended 
with  a  light  and  rapid  step,  and  without  regarding 
the  halberdier,  he  approached  the  first  of  three  or 
four  orifices  which  opened  into  the  wall  of  the  pal 
ace,  and  which,  from  the  heads  of  the  animal  being 
carved  in  relief  around  them,  had  become  famous 
as  the  receptacles  of  secret  accusations,  under  the 
name  of  the  Lion's  Mouths.  Something  he  dropped 
into  the  grinning  aperture  of  the  marble,  though 
what,  the  distance  arid  the  obscurity  of  the  gallery 
prevented  Gino  from  perceiving ;  and  then  his  form 
was  seen  gliding  like  a  phantom  down  the  flight  of 
massive  steps. 


50  THE  BRAVO. 

Gino  had  retired  towards  the  arch  of  the  water: 
gate,  in  expectation  that  the  stranger  would  rejoin 
him  within  its  shadows ;  but,  to  his  great  alarm,  he 
saw  the  form  darting  through  the  outer  portal  of  the 
palace  into  the  square  of  St.  Mark.  It  was  not  a 
moment  ere  Gino,  breathless  with  haste,  was  in 
chase.  On  reaching  the  bright  and  gay  scene  of 
the  piazza,  which  contrasted  with  the  gloomy  court 
he  had  just  quitted,  like  morning  with  night,  he  saw 
the  utter  fruitlessness  of  further  pursuit.  Frighten 
ed  at  the  loss  of  his  master's  signet,  however,  the 
indiscreet  but  well-intentioned  gondolier  rushed  into 
the  crowd,  and  tried  in  vain  to  select  the  delinquent 
from  among  a  thousand  masks. 

"  Harkee,  Signore,"  uttered  the  half-distracted 
gondolier  to  one,  who,  having  first  examined  his 
person  with  distrust,  evidently  betrayed  a  wish  to 
avoid  him ;  "  if  thou  hast  sufficiently  pleased  thy 
finger  with  my  master's  signet,  the  occasion  offers 
to  return  it." 

"  I  know  thee  not,"  returned  a  voice,  in  which 
Gino's  ear  could  detect  no  familiar  sound. 

"  It  may  not  be  well  to  trifle  with  the  displeasure 
of  a  noble  as  powerful  as  him  you  know ;"  he  whis 
pered  at  the  elbow  of  another,  who  had  come  un 
der  his  suspicions.  "  The  signet,  if  thou  pleasest, 
and  the  affair  need  go  no  further." 

"He  who  would  meddle  in  it,  with  or  without 
that  gage,  would  do  well  to  pause." 

The  gondolier  again  turned  away  disappointed. 

"  The  ring  is  not  suited  to  thy  masquerade,  friend 
of  mine,"  he  essayed  with  a  third ;  "  and  it  would 
be  wise  not  to  trouble  the  podesta  about  such  a 
rifle." 

"  Then  name  it  not,  lest  he  hear  thee."  The  an 
swer  proved,  like  all  the  others,  unsatisfactory  and 
bootless. 

Gino  now  ceased  to  question  any ;  but  he  thread- 


THE  BRAVO.  51 

ed  the  thi  ong  with  an  active  and  eager  eye.  Fifty 
times  was  he  tempted  to  speak,  but  as  often  did  some 
difference  in  stature  or  dress,  some  laugh,  or  trifle 
uttered  in  levity,  warn  him  of  his  mistake.  He 
penetrated  to  the  very  head  of  the  piazza,  and,  re 
turning  by  the  opposite  side,  he  found  his  way 
through  the  throng  of  the  porticoes,  looking  into 
every  coffee-house,  and  examining  each  figure  that 
floated  by,  until  he  again  issued  into  the  piazzetta, 
without  success.  A  slight  jerk  at  the  elbow  of  his 
jacket  arrested  his  steps,  and  he  turned  to  look  at 
the  person  who  had  detained  him.  A  female  attired 
like  a  contadina  addressed  him  in  the  feigned  voice 
common  to  all. 

"  Whither  so  fast,  and  what  hast  thou  lost  in  this 
merry  crowd  ?  If  a  heart,  'twill  be  wise  to  use  dili 
gence,  for  many  here  may  be  willing  to  wear  the 
jewel!" 

"  Corpo  di  Bacco !"  exclaimed  the  disappointed 
gondolier ;  "  any  who  find  such  a  bauble  of  mine 
under  foot,  are  welcome  to  their  luck !  Hast  thou 
seen  a  domino  of  a  size  like  that  of  any  other  man, 
with  a  gait  that  might  pass  for  the  step  of  a  sena 
tor,  padre,  or  Jew,  and  a  mask  that  looks  as  much 
like  a  thousand  of  these  in  the  square  as  one  side  of 
the  campanile  is  like  the  other  ?  " 

"  Thy  picture  is  so  well  drawn,  that  one  cannot 
fail  to  know  the  original.  He  stands  beside  thee." 

Gino  wheeled  suddenly,  and  saw  that  a  grinning 
harlequin  was  playing  his  antics  in  the  place  where 
he  had  expected  to  find  the  stranger. 

"And  thy  eyes,  bella  contadina,  are  as  dull  as  a 
mole's." 

He  ceased  speaking,  for,  deceived  in  his  person, 
she  who  had  saluted  him  was  no  vbnger  visible.  In 
this  manner  did  the  disappointed  gondolier  thread 
his  way  toward  the  water,  now  answering  to  the 
boisterous  salute  of  some  clown,  and  now  repelling 


52  THE   BRAVO. 

the  advances  of  females  less  disguised  than  the  pre 
tended  contadina,  until  he  gained  a  space  near  the 
quays,  where  there  was  more  room  for  observation. 
Here  he  paused,  undetermined  whether  to  return  and 
confess  his  indiscretion  to  his  master,  or  whether  he 
should  make  still  another  effort  to  regain  the  ring 
which  had  been  so  sillily  lost.  The  vacant  space 
between  the  two  granite  columns  was  left  to  the 
quiet  possession  of  himself  and  one  other,  who  stood 
near  the  base  of  that  which  sustained  the  Lion  of 
St.  Mark,  as  motionless  as  if  he  too  were  merely  a 
form  of  stone.  Two  or  three  stragglers,  either  led 
by  idle  curiosity,  or  expecting  to  meet  one  appoint 
ed  to  await  their  coming,  drew  near  this  immova 
ble  man,  but  all  glided  away,  as  if  there  were  re 
pulsion  in  his  marble-like  countenance.  Gino  had 
witnessed  several  instances  of  this  evident  dislike  to 
remain  near  the  unknown  figure,  ere  he  felt  induced 
to  cross  the  space  between  them  in  order  to  inquire 
into  its  cause.  A  slow  movement,  at  the  sound  of 
his  footsteps,  brought  the  rays  of  the  moon  full 
upon  the  calm  countenance  and  searching  eye  of 
the  very  man  he  sought. 

The  first  impulse  of  the  gondolier,  like  that  "of  all 
the  others  he  had  seen  approach  the  spot,  was  to 
retreat ;  but  the  recollection  of  his  errand  and  his 
loss  came  in  season  to  prevent  such  an  exhibition 
of  his  disgust  and  alarm.  Still  he  did  not  speak ; 
but  he  met  the  riveted  gaze  of  the  Bravo  with  a 
look  that  denoted,  equally,  confusion  of  intellect  and 
a  half-settled  purpose. 

"  Would'st  thou  aught  with  me?"  demanded  Ja- 
copo,  when  the  gaze  of  each  had  continued  beyond 
the  term  of  accidental  glances. 

"  My  master's  signet  I" 

"  I  know  thee  not." 

"  That  image  of  San  Teodoro  could  testify  that 
this  is  holy  truth,  if  it  would  but  speak !  I  have  not 


THE   BRAVO.  53 

ihe  honor  of  your  friendship,  Signor  Jacopo ;  but 
one  may  have  affairs  even  with  a  stranger.  If  you 
met  a  peaceable  and  innocent  gondolier,  in  the 
court  of  the  palace,  since  the  clock  of  the  piazza 
told  the  last  quarter,  and  got  from  him  a  ring,  which 
can  be  of  but  little  use  to  any  but  its  rightful  owner 
one  so  generous  will  not  hesitate  to  return  it." 

"  Dost  thou  take  me  for  a  jeweller  of  the  Rialto 
that  thou  speakest  to  me  of  rings  ?" 

"  I  take  you  for  one  well  known  and  m*ch  valued 
by  many  of  name  and  quality,  here  in  Venice,  as 
witness  my  errand  from  my  own  master." 

"  Remove  thy  mask.  Men  of  fair  dealing  need 
not  hide  the  features  which  Nature  has  given  them." 

"  You  speak  nothing  but  truths,  Signor  Frontoni, 
which  is  little  remarkable,  considering  thy  opportu 
nities  of  looking  into  the  motives  of  men.  There  is 
little  in  my  face  to  pay  you  for  the  trouble  of  cast 
ing  a  glance  at  it.  I  would  as  lief  do  as  others 
in  this  gay  season,  if  it  be  equally  agreeable  to 
you." 

"  Do  as  thou  wilt ;  but  I  pray  thee  to  give  me  the 
same  permission." 

"  There  are  few  so  bold  as  to  dispute  thy  plea 
sure,  Signore," 

"  It  is,  to  be  alone." 

"  Cospetto !  There  is  not  a  man  in  Venice  who 
would  more  gladly  consult  it,  if  my  master's  errand 
were  fairly  done!"  muttered  Gino,  between  his 
teeth. — "  I  have,  here,  a  packet  which  it  is  my  duty 
to  put  into  your  hands,  Signore,  and  into  those  of 
no  other." 

"  I  know  thee  not — thou  hast  a  name?" 

"  Not  in  the  sense  in  which  you  speak,  Signore 
As  to  that  sort  of  reputation,  I  am  as  nameless  as  a 
"oundling." 

"  If  thy  master  is  of  no  more  note  than  thyself, 
the  packet  may  t>e  returned." 

Ju 


54  THE    BRAVO. 

"  There  are  few  within  the  dominions  of  St.  Mark 
of  better  lineage,  or  of  fairer  hopes,  than  the  Duke 
of  Sant'  Agata." 

The  cold  expression  of  the  Bravo's  countenance 
changed. 

"  If  thou  comest  from  Don  Camillo  Monforte, 
why  dost  thou  hesitate  to  proclaim  it  1 — Where  are 
nis  requests  1 " 

"  I  know  not  whether  it  is  his  pleasure,  or  that  of 
another,  which  this  paper  contains,  but  such  as  it 
is,  Signor  Jacopo,  my  duty  commands  me  to  deliver 
it  to  thee." 

The  packet  was  received  calmly,  though  the  or 
gan  which  glanced  at  its  seal  and  its  superscription, 
gleamed  with  an  expression  which  the  credulous 
gondolier  fancied  to  resemble  that  of  the  tiger  at 
the  sight  of  blood. 

"Thou  said'st  something  of  a  ring.  Dost  thou 
bear  thy  master's  signet  1  I  am  much  accustomed 
to  see  pledges,  ere  I  give  faith." 

"  Blessed  San  Teodoro  grant  that  I  did !  Were 
it  as  heavy  as  a  skin  of  wine,  I  would  willingly 
bear  the  load ;  but  one  that  I  mistook  for  you,  Mas 
ter  Jacopo,  has  it  on  his  own  light  finger,  I  fear." 

"  This  is  an  affair  that  thou  wilt  settle  with  thy 
master,"  returned  the  Bravo,  coldly,  again  examin 
ing  the  impression  of  the  seal. 

"  If  you  are  acquainted  with  the  writing  of  my 
master,"  hurriedly  remarked  Gino,  who  trembled 
for  the  fate  of  the  packet,  "  you  will  see  his  skill  in 
the  turn  of  those  letters.  There  are  few  nobles  in 
Venice,  or  indeed  in  the  Sicilies,  who  have  a  more 
scholarly  hand,  with  a  quill,  than  Don  Camillo  Mon 
forte  ;  I  could  not  do  the  thing  half  so  well  myself." 

"I  am  no  clerk,"  observed  the  Bravo,  without 
betraying  shame  at  the  confession.  "  The  art  of 
deciphering  a  scroll,  like  this,  was  never  taught  me. 


THE  BRAVO.  55 

tf  thou  art  so  expert  in  the  skill  of  a  penman,  tell 
me  the  name  the  packet  bears." 

<"T  would  little  become  me  to  breathe  a  syllable 
concerning  any  of  my  master's  secrets,"  returned 
the  gondolier,  drawing  himself  up  in  sudden  reserve. 
a  It  is  enough  that  he  bid  me  deliver  the  letter ;  af 
ter  which  I  should  think  it  presumption  even  to 
whisper  more." 

The  dark  eye  of  the  Bravo  was  seen  rolling  over 
the  person  of  his  companion,  by  the  light  of  the 
moon,  in  a  manner  that  caused  the  blood  of  the 
latter  to  steal  towards  his  heart. 

"  I  bid  thee  read  to  me  aloud  the  name  the  paper 
bears,"  said  Jacopo,  sternly.  "  Here  is  none  but  the 
lion  and  the  saint  above  our  heads  to  listen." 

"  Just  San  Marco  !  who  can  tell  what  ear  is  open 
or  what  ear  is  shut  in  Venice  ?  If  you  please,  Sig- 
nor  Frontoni,  we  will  postpone  the  examination  to 
a  more  suitable  occasion." 

"  Friend,  I  do  not  play  the  fool !  The  name,  o: 
show  me  some  gage  that  thou  art  sent  by  him  thou 
hast  named,  else  take  back  the  packet ;  'tis  no  affair 
for  my  hand." 

"  Reflect  a  single  moment  on  the  consequences, 
Signor  Jacopo,  before  you  come  to  a  determination 
so  hasty." 

"  I  know  no  consequences  which  can  befall  a  man 
who  refuses  to  receive  a  message  like  this." 

"  Per  Diana !  Signore ;  the  Duca  will  not  be 
likely  to  leave  me  an  ear  to  hear  the  good  advice 
of  Father  Battista." 

"  Then  will  the  Duca  save  the  public  executioner 
some  trouble." 

As  he  spoke,  the  Bravo  cast  the  packet  at  the  feet 
of  the  gondolier,  and  began  to  walk  calmly  up  the 
piazzetta.  Gino  seized  the  letter,  and,  with  his  brain 
in  a  whirl,  with  the  effort  to  recall  some  one  of  his 
master's  acquaintances  to  whom  he  would  be  likely 


56  THE   BRAVO. 

to  address  an  epistle  on  such  an  occasion,  he  fol 
lowed. 

"  I  wonder,  Signor  Jacopo,  that  a  man  of  your 
sagacity  has  not  remembered  that  a  packet  to  b« 
delivered  to  himself,  should  bear  his  own  name." 

The  Bravo  took  the  paper,  and  held  the  super 
scription  again  to  the  light. 

"  That  is  not  so.  Though  unlearned,  necessity 
has  taught  me  to  know  when  I  am  meant." 

"  Diamine  !  That  is  just  my  own  case,  Signore. 
Were  the  letter  for  me,  now,  the  old  should  not 
know  its  young,  quicker  than  I  would  come  at  the 
truth." 

"  Then  thou  canst  not  read?" 

"I  never  pretended  to  the  art.  The  little  said 
was  merely  about  writing.  Learning,  as  you  well 
understand,  Master  Jacopo,  is  divided  into  reading, 
writing,  and  figures ;  and  a  man  may  well  under 
stand  one,  without  knowing  a  word  of  the  others. 
It  is  not  absolutely  necessary  to  be  a  bishop  to  have 
a  shaved  head,  or  a  Jew  to  wear  a  beard." 

"Thou  would'st  have  done  better  to  have  said 
this  at  once ;  go,  I  will  think  of  the  matter." 

Gino  gladly  turned  away,  but  he  had  not  left  the 
other  many  paces,  before  he  saw  a  female  form 
gliding  behind  the  pedestal  of  one  of  the  granite 
colurrms.  Moving  swiftly  in  a  direction  to  uncover 
this  sfeeming  spy,  he  saw  at  once  that  Annina  had 
been  a  witness  of  his  interview  with  the  Bravo. 


THE  BRAVO.  57 


CHAPTER  IV. 

'Twill  make  me  think 

The  world  is  full  of  rubs,  and  that  my  fortune 
Runs  'gainst  the  bias. 

Richard  the  Second. 

THOUGH  Venice  at  that  hour  was  so  gay  in  her 
•squares,  the  rest  of  the  town  was  silent  as  the  grave 
A  city  in  which  the  hoof  of  horse  or  the  rolling  of 
wheels  is  never  heard,  necessarily  possesses  a  char 
acter  of  its  own ;  but  the  peculiar  form  of  the  gov 
ernment,  and  the  long  training  of  the  people  in  habits 
of  caution,  weighed  on  the  spirits  of  the  gay.  There 
were  times  and  places,  it  is  true,  when  the  buoyancy 
of  youthful  blood,  and  the  levity  of  the  thoughtless, 
found  occasion  for  their  display;  nor  were  they 
rare;  but  when  men  found  themselves  removed 
from  the  temptation,  and  perhaps  from  the  support 
of  society,  they  appeared  to  imbibe  the  character 
of  their  sombre  city. 

Such  was  the  state  of  most  of  the  town,  while 
the  scene  described  in  the  previous  chapter  was  ex 
hibited  in  the  lively  piazza  of  San  Marco.  The 
moon  had  risen  so  high  that  its  light  fell  between  the 
range  of  walls,  here  and  there  touching  the  surface 
of  the  water,  to  which  it  imparted  a  quivering 
brightness,  while  the  domes  and  towers  rested  be 
neath  its  light  in  a  solemn  but  grand  repose.  Occa 
sionally  the  front  of  a  palace  received  the  rays  on 
its  heavy  cornices  and  labored  columns,  the  gloomy 
stillness  of  the  interior  of  the  edifice  furnishing,  in 
every  such  instance,  a  striking  contrast  to  the  rich 
ness  and  architectural  beauty  without.  Our  narra 
tive  now  leads  us  to  one  of  these  patrician  abodes 
of  the  first  class. 

A  heavy  magnificence  pervaded  the  style  of  the 


58  THE   BRAVO- 

dwe'Jing.  The  vestibule  was  vast,  vaulted,  and 
massive.  The  stairs,  rich  in  marbles,  heavy  and 
grand.  The  apartments  were  imposing  in  their 
gildings  and  sculpture,  while  the  walls  sustained 
countless  works  on  which  the  highest  geniuses  of  Ita- 
y  had  lavishly  diffused  their  power.  Among  these 
relics  of  an  age  more  happy  in  this  respect  than 
that  of  which  we  write,  the  connoisseur  would  rea 
dily  have  known  the  pencils  of  Titian,  Paul  Vero 
nese,  and  Tintoretto — the  three  great  names  in 
which  the  subjects  of  St.  Mark  so  justly  prided 
themselves.  Among  these  works  of  the  higher 
masters  were  mingled  others  by  the  pencils  of  Bel- 
lino,  and  Montegna,  and  Palma  Vecchio — artists 
who  were  secondary  only  to  the  more  renowned 
colorists  of  the  Venetian  school.  Vast  sheets  of 
mirrors  lined  the  walls,  wherever  the  still  more  pre 
cious  paintings  had  no  place;  while  the  ordinary 
hangings  of  velvet  and  silk  became  objects  of  sec 
ondary  admiration,  in  a  scene  of  nearly  royal  mag- 
nificence.  The  cool  and  beautiful  floors,  made  of  a 
composition  in  which  all  the  prized  marbles  of  Italy 
and  of  the  East,  polished  to  the  last  degree  of  art, 
were  curiously  embedded,  formed  a  suitable  finish 
to  a  style  so  gorgeous,  and  in  which  luxury  and 
taste  were  blended  in  equal  profusion. 

The  building,  which,  on  two  of  its  sides,  literally 
rose  from  out  the  water,  was,  as  usual,  erected 
around  a  dark  court.  Following  its  different  faces, 
the  eye  might  penetrate,  by  many  a  door,  open  at 
that  hour  for  the  passage  of  the  air  from  off  the  sea, 
through  long  suites  of  rooms,  furnished  and  fitted 
in  the  manner  described,  all  lighted  by  shaded  lamps 
that  spread  a  soft  and  gentle  glow  around.  Pass 
ing,  without  notice,  ranges  of  reception  and  sleep 
ing  rooms — the  latter  of  a  magnificence  to  mock 
the  ordinary  wants  of  the  body — we  shall  at  once 


THE   BRAVO.  59 

introduce  the  reader  into  the  part  of  the  palace 
where  the  business  of  the  tale  conducts  us. 

At  the  angle  of  the  dwelling,  on  the  side  of  the 
smaller  of  the  two  canals,  and  most  remote  from 
the  principal  water-avenue  of  the  city  on  which  tht; 
edifice  fronted,  there  was  a  suite  of  apartments, 
which,  while  it  exhibited  the  same  style  of  luxury 
and  magnificence  as  those  first  mentioned  in  its 
general  character,  discovered  greater  attention  in 
its  details  to  the  wants  of  ordinary  life.  The  hang 
ings  were  of  the  richest  velvets  or  of  glossy  silks,  the 
mirrors  were  large  and  of  exquisite  truth,  the  floors 
of  the  same  gay  and  pleasing  colors,  and  the  walls 
were  adorned  with  their  appropriate  works  of  art. 
But  the  whole  was  softened  down  to  a  picture  of 
domestic  comfort.  The  tapestries  and  curtains 
hung  in  careless  folds,  the  beds  admitted  of  sleep, 
and  the  pictures  were  delicate  copies  by  the  pencil 
of  some  youthful  amateur,  whose  leisure  had  been 
exercised  in  this  gentle  and  feminine  employment. 

The  fair  being  herself,  whose  early  instruction 
had  given  birth  to  so  many  skilful  imitations  of  the 
divine  expression  of  Raphael,  or  to  the  vivid  tints 
of  Titian,  was  at  that  hour  in  her  privacy,  dis 
coursing  with  her  ghostly  adviser,  and  one  of  her 
own  sex,  who  had  long  discharged  the  joint  trusts 
of  instructor  and  parent.  The  years  of  the  lady 
of  the  palace  were  so  tender  that,  in  a  more  north 
ern  region,  she  would  scarcely  have  been  deemed 
past  me  period  of  childhood,  though,  in  her  native 
land,  the  justness  and  maturity  of  her  form,  and  the 
expression  of  a  dark,  eloquent  eye,  indicated  both 
the  growth  and  the  intelligence  of  womanhood. 

"  For  this  good  counsel,  I  thank  you,  my  father 
and  my  excellent  Donna  Florinda  will  thank  you 
still  more,  for  your  opinions  are  so  like  her  own, 
that  I  sometimes  admire  at  the  secret  means,  by 
which  experience  enables  the  wise  and  the  good  to 


bO  THE  BRAVO. 

think  so  much  alike,  on  a  matter  of  so  little  per 
sona]  interest." 

A  slight  but  furtive  smile  struggled  around  the 
mortified  mouth  of  the  Carmelite,  as  he  listened  to 
the  naive  observation  of  his  ingenuous  pupil. 

"  Thou  wilt  learn,  my  child,"  he  answered,  "  as 
time  heaps  wisdom  on  thy  head,  that  it  is  in  con 
cerns  which  touch  our  passions  and  interests  least, 
we  are  most  apt  to  decide  with  discretion  and  im 
partiality.  Though  Donna  Florinda  is  not  yet  past 
the  age  when  the  heart  is  finally  subdued,  and  there 
is  still  so  much  to  bind  her  to  the  world,  she  will 
assure  thee  of  this  truth,  or  I  greatly  mistake  the 
excellence  of  that  mind,  which  hath,  hitherto,  led 
her  so  far  blameless,  in  this  erring  pilgrimage  to 
which  we  are  all  doomed." 

Though  the  cowl  was  over  the  head  of  the 
speaker,  who  was  evidently  preparing  to  depart, 
and  his  deeply-seated  eye  never  varied  from  its 
friendly  look  at  the  fair  face  of  her  he  instructed, 
the  blood  stole  into  the  pale  cheeks  of  the  maternal 
companion,  and  her  whole  countenance  betrayed 
some  such  reflection  of  feeling  at  his  praise,  as  a 
wintry  sky  exhibits  at  a  sudden  gleam  from  the 
setting  sun. 

"  I  trust  that  Violetta  does  not  now  hear  this  for 
the  first  time,"  observed  Donna  Florinda,  in  a  voice 
so  meek  and  tremulous,  as  to  be  observed. 

"  Little  that  can  be  profitably  told  one  of  my  in 
experience  has  been  left  untaught,"  quickly  answer 
ed  the  pupil,  unconscious  herself  that  she  reached 
her  hand  towards  that  of  her  constant  monitor, 
though  too  intent  on  her  object,  to  change  her  look 
from  the  features  of  the  Carmelite.  "  But  why  this 
desire  in  the  Senate,  to  dispose  of  a  girl  who  would 
be  satisfied  to  live  for  ever,  as  she  is  now,  happy  in 
her  youth,  and  contented  with  the  privacy  which 
becomes  her  sex'?" 


THE  BRAVO.  61 

"  The  relentless  years  will  not  stay  their  advance, 
;hat  even  one  innocent  as  thou,  may  never  know 
the  unhappiness  and  trials  of  a  more  mature  age. 
This  life  is  one  of  imperious,  and,  oftentimes,  of 
tyrannical  duties.  Thou  art  not  ignorant  of  the 
policy  that  rules  a  state,  which  hath  made  its  name 
so  illustrious  by  high  deeds  in  arms,  its  riches,  and 
its  widely-spread  influence.  There  is  a  law  in 
Venice,  which  commandeth  that  none  claiming  an 
interest  in  its  affairs  shall  so  bind  himself  to  the 
stranger,  as  to  endanger  the  devotion  all  owe  to  the 
republic.  Thus  may  not  the  patrician  of  St.  Mark 
be  a  lord  in  other  lands,  nor  may  the  heiress  of  a 
name,  great  and  valued  as  thine,  be  given  in  mar 
riage,  to  any  of  note,  in  a  foreign  state,  without 
counsel  and  consent  from  those  who  are  appointed 
to  watch  over  the  interests  of  all." 

"  Had  Providence  cast  my  lot  in  an  humbler  class, 
this  would  not  have  been.  Methinks  it  ill  comports 
with  the  happiness  of  woman,  to  be  the  especial 
care  of  the  Council  of  Ten !" 

"  There  is  indiscretion,  and  I  lament  to  say,  im 
piety  in  thy  words.  Our  duty  bids  us  submit  to 
earthly  laws,  and  more  than  duty,  reverence  teaches 
us  not  to  repine  at  the  will  of  Providence.  But  I 
do  riot  see  the  weight  of  this  grievance,  against 
which  thou  murmurest,  daughter.  Thou  art  youth 
ful,  wealthy  beyond  the  indulgence  of  all  healthful 
desires,  of  a  lineage  to  excite  an  unwholesome 
worldly  pride,  and  fair  enough  to  render  thee  the 
most  dangerous  of  thine  own  enemies — and  thou 
repinest  at  a  lot,  to  which  all  of  thy  sex  and  station 
are,  of  necessity,  subject!" 

"  For  the  offence  against  Providence  I  am  alrea 
dy  a  penitent,"  returned  the  Donna  Violetta.    "  But 
surely  it  would  be  less  embarrassing  to  a  girl  of 
sixteen,  were  the  fathers  of  trie  state  so  much  occu- 
F 


62  THE  BRAVO 

pied  with  more  weighty  affairs,  as  to  forget  hew 
birth  and  .years,  and  haply  her  wealth '( " 

"  There  would  be  little  merit  in  being  content 
with  a  world  fashioned  after  our  own  caprices, 
though  it  may  be  questioned  if  we  should  be  hap 
pier,  by  having  all  things  as  we  desire,  than  by 
being  compelled  to  submit  to  them  as  they  are 
The  interest  taken  by  the  republic  in  thy  particular 
welfare,  daughter,  is  the  price  thou  payest  for  the 
ease  and  magnificence  with  which  thou  art  encir 
cled.  One  more  obscure,  and  less  endowed  by  for 
tune,  might  have  greater  freedom  of  will,  but  it 
would  be  accompanied  by  none  of  the  pomp  which 
adorns  the  dwelling  of  thy  fathers." 

"  I  would  there  were  less  of  luxury  and  more  of 
liberty  within  its  walls." 

"  Time  will  enable  thee  to  see  differently.  At 
thy  age  all  is  viewed  in  colors  of  gold,  or  life  is 
rendered  bootless,  because  we  are  thwarted  in  our 
ill-digested  wishes.  I  deny  not,  however,  that  thy 
fortune  is  tempered  by  some  peculiar  passages. 
Venice  is  ruled  by  a  policy  that  is  often  calculating, 
and  haply  some  deem  it  remorseless."  Though  the 
voice  of  the  Carmelite  had  fallen,  he  paused  and 
glanced  an  uneasy  look  from  beneath  his  cowl,  ere 
he  continued.  "  The  caution  of  the  senate  teaches 
it  to  preclude,  as  far  as  in  it  lies,  the  union  of  inter 
ests,  that  may  not  only  oppose  each  other,  but  which 
may  endanger  those  of  the  state.  Thus,  as  1  have 
said,  none  of  senatorial  rank  may  hold  lands  with 
out  the  limits  of  the  republic,  nor  may  any  of  ac 
count  connect  themselves,  by  the  ties  of  marriage, 
with  strangers  of  dangerous  influence,  without  the 
consent  and  supervision  of  the  republic.  The  latter 
is  thy  situation,  for  of  the  several  foreign  lords  who 
seek  thy  hand,  the  council  see  none  to  whom  the 
favor  may  be  extended,  without  the  apprehension 
of  creating  an  influence  here,  in  the  centre  of  the 


THE  BRAVO.  63 

canals,  which  ought  not  to  be  given  to  a  stranger. 
Don  Camillo  Monforte,  the  cavalier  to  whom  thou 
art  indebted  for  thy  life,  and  of  whom  thou  hast  so 
lately  spoken  with  gratitude,  has  far  more  cause  to 
complain  of  these  hard  decrees,  than  thou  mayest 
have,  in  any  reason." 

"'Twould  make  my  griefs  still  heavier,  did  I 
know  that  one  who  has  shown  so  much  courage  in 
my  behalf,  has  equal  reason  to  feel  their  justice," 
returned  Violetta,  quickly.  "What  is  the  affair  that, 
so  fortunately  for  me,  hath  brought  the  Lord  of 
Sant'  Agata  to  Venice,  if  a  grateful  girl  may,  with 
out  indiscretion,  inquire  ?" 

"  Thy  interest  in  his  behalf  is  both  natural  and 
commendable,"  answered  the  Carmelite,  with  a  sim 
plicity  which  did  more  credit  to  his  cowl  than  to 
his  observation.  "  He  is  young,  and,  doubtless,  he 
is  tempted  by  the  gifts  of  fortune,  and  the  passions 
of  his  years,  to  divers  acts  of  weakness.  Remem 
ber  him,  daughter,  in  thy  prayers,  that  part  of  the 
debt  of  gratitude  may  be  repaid.  His  worldly  in 
terest  here  is  one  of  general  notoriety,  and  I  can 
ascribe  thy  ignorance  of  it  only  to  a  retired  man 
ner  of  life." 

"  My  charge  hath  other  matters  to  occupy  her 
thoughts  than  the  concerns  of  a  young  stranger, 
who  cometh  to  Venice  for  affairs,"  mildly  observed 
Donna  Florinda. 

"  But  if  I  am  to  remember  him  in  my  prayers, 
Father,  it  might  enlighten  my  petition  to  know  in 
what  the  young  noble  is  most  wanting." 

"  I  would  have  thee  remember  his  spiritual  neces 
sities  only.  He  wanteth,  of  a  truth,  little  in  tempo 
ralities  that  the  world  can  offer,  though  the  desires 
of  life  often  lead  him  who  hath  most  in  quest  of 
more.  It  would  seem  that  an  ancestor  of  Don 
Camillo  was  anciently  a  senator  of  Venice,  when 
the  death  of  a  relation  brought  many  Calabrian 


64  THE  BRAVO. 

signories  into  his  possession.  The  younger  of  his 
sons,  by  an  especial  decree,  which  favored  a  family 
that  had  well  served  the  state,  took  these  estates 
while  the  elder  transmitted  the  senatorial  rank  and 
the  Venetian  fortunes  to  his  posterity.  Time  hath 
extinguished  the  elder  branch;  and  Don  Camillo 
hath  for  years  besieged  the  council,  to  be  restored 
to  those  rights  which  his  predecessor  renounced." 

"  Can  they  refuse  him?" 

"His  demand  involves  a  departure  from  estab 
lished  laws.  Were  he  to  renounce  the  Calabrian 
lordships,  the  Neapolitan  might  lose  more  than  he 
would  gain ;  and  to  keep  both  is  to  infringe  a  law 
that  is  rarely  suffered  to  be  dormant.  I  know  little, 
daughter,  of  the  interests  of  life ;  but  there  are  ene 
mies  of  the  republic  who  say  that  its  servitude  is  not 
easy,  and  that  it  seldom  bestows  favors  of  this  sort, 
without  seeking  an  ample  equivalent." 

"  Is  this  as  it  should  be  1  If  Don  Camillo  Mon- 
forte  has  claims  in  Venice,  whether  it  be  to  palaces 
on  the  canals,  or  to  lands  on  the  main ;  to  honors 
in  the  state,  or  voice  in  the  senate ;  justice  should 
be  rendered  without  delay,  lest  it  be  said  the  re- 
public  vaunts  more  of  the  sacred  quality  than  it 
practises." 

"  Thou  speakest  as  a  guileless  nature  prompts. 
It  is  the  frailty  of  man,  my  daughter,  to  separate 
his  public  acts  from  the  fearful  responsibility  of  his 
private  deeds ;  as  if  God,  in  endowing  his  being 
with  reason  and  the  glorious  hopes  of  Christianity, 
had  also  endowed  him  with  two  souls,  of  which  only 
one  was  to  be  cared  for." 

"  Are  there  not  those,  Father,  who  believe  that, 
while  the  evil  we  commit  as  individuals  is  visited  on 
our  own  persons,  that  which  is  done  by  states,  falls 
on  the  nation?" 

"  The  pride  of  human  reason  has  invented  divers 
subtleties  to  satisfy  its  own  longings,  but  it  can 


THE  BRAVO.  6a 

never  feed  itself  on  a  delusion  more  fatal  than  this ! 
The  crime  which  involves  others  in  its  guilt,  or  con 
sequences,  is  doubly  a  crime,  and  though  it  be  a 
property  of  sin  to  entail  its  own  punishment,  even 
in  our  present  life,  he  trusts  to  a  vain  hope  who 
thinks  the  magnitude  of  the  offence  will  ever  be  its 
apology.  The  chief  security  of  our  nature  is  to  re 
move  if  beyond  temptation,  and  he  is  safest  from 
the  allurements  of  the  world,  who  is  farthest  re 
moved  from  its  vices.  Though  1  would  wish  justice 
done  to  the  noble  Neapolitan,  it  may  be  for  his  ever 
lasting  peace,  that  the  additional  wealth  he  seeks 
should  be  withheld." 

"  I  am  unwilling  to  believe,  Father,  that  a  cava 
lier,  who  has  shown  himself  so  ready  to  assist  the 
distressed,  will  easily  abuse  the  gifts  of  fortune." 

The  Carmelite  fastened  an  uneasy  look  on  the 
bright  features  of  the  young  Venetian.  Parental 
solicitude  and  prophetic  foresight  were 'in  his  glance, 
but  the  expression  was  relieved  by  the  charity  of 
a  chastened  spirit. 

"  Gratitude  to  the  preserver  of  thy  life  becomes 
thy  station  and  sex;  it  is  a  duty.  Cherish  the 
feeling,  for  it  is  akin  to  the  holy  obligation  of  man 
to  his  Creator." 

"Is  it  enough  to  feel  grateful?"  demanded  Vio- 
letta.  "  One  of  my  name  and  alliances  might  do 
more.  We  can  move  the  patricians  of  my  family, 
in  behalf  of  the  stranger,  that  his  protracted  suit 
may  come  to  a  more  speedy  end." 

"  Daughter,  beware ;  the  intercession  of  one  in 
whom  St.  Mark  feels  so  lively  an  interest,  may  raise 
up  enemies  to  Don  Camillo,  instead  of  friends/' 

Donna  Violetta  was  silent,  while  the  monk  and 
Donna  Florinda  both  regarded  her  with  affectionate 
concern.  The  former  then  adjusted  his  cowl,  ana 
prepared  to  depart.  The  noble  maiden  approached 
the  Carmelite,  and  looking^nto  his  face  with  ingenu- 


66  THE   BRAVO. 

ous  confidence,  and  habitual  reverence,  she  besought 
his  blessing.  When  the  solemn  and  customary  office 
was  performed,  the  monk  turned  towards  the  com- 
panion  of  his  spiritual  charge.  Donna  Florinda 
permitted  the  silk,  on  which  her  needle  had  been 
busy,  to  fall  into  her  lap,  and  she  sat  in  meek  silence, 
while  the  Carmelite  raised  his  open  palms  towards 
her  bended  head.  His  lips  moved,  but  the  words 
of  benediction  were  inaudible.  Had  the  ardent 
being,  intrusted  to  their  joint  care,  been  less  occu 
pied  with  her  own  feelings,  or  more  practised  in  the 
interests  of  that  world,  into  which  she  was  about  to 
enter,  it  is  probable  she  would  have  detected  some 
evidence  of  that  deep,  but  smothered  sympathy, 
which  so  often  betrayed  itself,  in  the  silent  intelli 
gence  of  her  ghostly  father  and  her  female  Mentor. 

"  Thou  wilt  not  forget  us,  Father  ?"  said  Violetta, 
with  winning  earnestness.  "An  orphan  girl,  in 
whose  fate  the  sages  of  the  republic  so  seriously 
busy  themselves,  has  need  of  every  friend  in  whom 
she  can  confide." 

"  Blessed  be  thy  intercessor,"  said  the  monk, "  and 
the  peace  of  the  innocent  be  with  thee." 

Once  more  he  waved  his  hand,  and,  turning,  he 
slowly  quitted  the  room.  The  eye  of  Donna  Florin- 
da  followed  the  white  robes  of  the  Carmelite  while 
they  were  visible ;  and  when  it  fell  again  upon  the 
silk,  it  was  for  a  moment  closed,  as  if  looking  at  the 
movements  of  the  rebuked  spirit  within.  The  young 
mistress  of  the  palace  summoned  a  menial,  and 
bade  him  do  honor  to  her  confessor,  by  seeing  him 
to  his  gondola.  She  then  moved  to  the  open  bal 
cony.  A  long  pause  succeeded:  it  was  such  a  si 
lence,  breathing,  thoughtful,  and  luxurious  with  the 
repose  of  Italy,  as  suited  the  city  and  the  hour 
Suddenly,  Violetta  receded  from  the  open  window 
and  withdrew  a  step,  in  alarm. 

"  Is  there  a  boat  beneath  I"  demanded  her  com 


THE  BRAVO.  67 

panion,  whose  glance  was  unavoidably  attracted  to 
the  movement. 

"  The  water  was  never  more  quiet.  But  thou 
nearest  those  strains  of  the  hautboys  t" 

"Are  they  so  rare  on  the  canals,  that  they  drive 
thee  from  the  balcony  1 " 

"  There  are  cavaliers  beneath  the  windows  of  the 
Mentoni  palace ;  doubtless,  they  compliment  our 
friend,  Olivia." 

"  Even  that  gallantry  is  common.  Thou  know- 
est  that  Olivia  is  shortly  to  be  united  to  her  kins 
man,  and  he  takes  the  usual  means  to  show  his  ad 
miration." 

"  Dost  thou  not  find  this  public  announcement  of 
a  passion  painful  ?  Were  I  to  be  wooed,  I  could  wish 
it  might  only  be  to  my  own  ear  'I " 

"That  is  an  unhappy  sentiment  for  one  whose 
hand  is  in  the  gift  of  the  senate  !  I  fear  that  a  maid 
en  of  thy  rank  must  be  content  to  hear  her  beauty 
extolled  and  her  merits  sung,  if  not  exaggerated, 
even  by  hirelings  beneath  a  balcony." 

"  I  would  that  they  were  done ! "  exclaimed  Vio- 
letta,  stopping  her  ears.  "  None  know  the  excel 
lence  of  our  friend  better  than  I ;  but  this  open  ex 
posure  of  thoughts,  that  ought  to  be  so  private,  must 
wound  her." 

"  Thou  mayest  go  again  into  the  balcony ;  the 
music  ceases." 

"  There  are  gondoliers  singing  near  the  Rialto  : 
these  are  sounds  I  love  !  Sweet  in  themselves,  they 
do  no  violence  to  our  sacred  feelings.  Art  thou  for 
the  water  to-night,  my  Florinda?" 

"Whither  would'st  thou?" 

"  I  know  not — but  the  evening  is  brilliant,  and  I 
pine  to  mingle  with  the  splendor  and  pleasure  with 
out." 

"  While  thousands  on  the  canals  pine  to  mingle 
with  the  splendor  and  y  easure  within ! — Thus  is  i*» 


68  THE   BRAVO. 

ever  with  life :  that  which  is  possessed  is  little  valued 
and  that  which  we  have  not  is  without  price." 

"  I  owe  my  duty  to  my  guardian,"  said  Violetta 
"  we  will  row  to  his  palace." 

Though  Donna  Florinda  had  uttered  so  grave  a 
moral,  she  spoke  without  severity.  Casting  aside 
her  work,  she  prepared  to  gratify  the  desire  of  her 
charge.  It  was  the  usual  hour  for  the  high  in  rank 
and  the  secluded  to  go  abroad ;  and  neither  Venice, 
with  its  gay  throngs,  nor  Italy,  with  its  soft  climate, 
ever  offered  greater  temptation  to  seek  the  open  air. 

The  groom  of  the  chambers  was  called,  the  gon 
doliers  were  summoned,  and  the  ladies,  cloaking  and 
taking  their  masks,  were  quickly  in  the  boat. 


CHAPTER  V. 

If  your  master 

Would  have  a  queen  his  beggar,  you  must  tell  him 
That  majesty,  to  keep  decorum,  must 
No  less  beg  than  a  kingdom. 

Antony  and  Cleopatra. 

THE  silent  movement  of  the  hearse-like  gondola 
soon  brought  the  fair  Venetian  and  her  female  Men 
tor  to  the  water-gate  of  the  noble,  who  had  been 
intrusted,  by  the  senate,  with  the  especial  guardian 
ship  of  the  person  of  the  heiress.  It  was  a  resi 
dence  of  more  than  common  gloom,  possessing  all 
the  solemn  but  stately  magnificence  which  then 
characterized  the  private  dwellings  of  the  patricians 
in  that  city  of  riches  and  pride.  Its  magnitude  and 
architecture,  though  rather  less  imposing  than  those 
which  distinguished  the  palace  of  the  Donna  Violetta. 
placed  it  among  the  private  edifices  of  the  first  or 
der,  and  all  its  external  decorations  showed  it  to  be 


THE   BRAVO.  69 

the  habitation  of  one  of  high  importance.  Within, 
the  noiseless  steps  and  the  air  of  silent  distrust 
among  the  domestics,  added  to  the  gloomy  grandeur 
of  the  apartments,  rendered  the  abode  no  bad  type 
of  the  republic  itself. 

As  neither  of  his  present  visitors  was  a  stranger 
beneath  the  roof  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo — for  so 
the  proprietor  of  the  palace  was  called — they  as 
cended  its  massive  stairs,  without  pausing  to  con 
sider  any  of  those  novelties  of  construction  that 
would  attract  the  eye  of  one  unaccustomed  to  such 
a  dwelling.  The  rank  and  the  known  consequence 
of  the  Donna  Violetta  assured  her  of  a  ready  re 
ception  ;  and  while  she  was  ushered  to  the  suite  of 
rooms  above,  by  a  crowd  of  bowing  menials,  one 
had  gone,  with  becoming  speed,  to  announce  her 
approach  to  his  master.  When  in  the  ante-cham 
ber,  however,  the  ward  stopped,  declining  to  pro 
ceed  any  further,  in  deference  to  the  convenience 
and  privacy  of  her  guardian.  The  delay  was 
short ;  for  no  sooner  was  the  old  senator  apprized 
of  her  presence,  than  he  hastened  from  his  closet 
to  do  her  honor,  with  a  zeal  that  did  credit  to  his 
fitness  for  the  trust  he  filled.  The  countenance  of 
the  old  patrician — a  face  in  which  thought  and  care 
had  drawn  as  many  lines  as  time — lighted  with  un 
equivocal  satisfaction  as  he  pressed  forward  to  re 
ceive  his  beautiful  ward.  To  her  half-uttered  apolo 
gies  for  the  intrusion,  he  would  not  listen ;  but  as  he 
led  her  within,  he  gallantly  professed  his  pleasure  at 
being  honored  with  her  visits  even  at  moments  that, 
to  her  scrupulous  delicacy,  might  appear  the  most 
ill-timed. 

"  Thou  canst  never  come  amiss,  child  as  thou  art 
of  my  ancient  friend,  and  the  especial  care  of  the 
state!"  he  added.  "The  gates  of  the  Gradenigo 
palace  would  open  of  themselves,  at  the  latest  period 
of  the  night,  to  receive  such  a  guest.  Besides 


70  THE  BRAVO. 

the  hour  is  most  suited  to  the  convenience  of  one  of 
thy  quality  who  would  breathe  the  fresh  evening  aii 
on  the  canals.  Were  I  to  limit  thee  to  hours  and 
minutes,  some  truant  wish  of  the  moment — soma 
innocent  caprice  of  thy  sex  and  years,  might  go 
ungratified. — Ah!  Donna  Florinda,  we  may  well 
pray  that  all  our  affection — not  to  call  it  weakness— 
for  this  persuasive  girl,  shall  not  in  the  end  lead  to 
her  own  disadvantage ! " 

"  For  the  indulgence  of  both,  I  am  grateful,"  re 
turned  Violetta ;  "  I  only  fear  to  urge  my  little  re 
quests  at  moments  when  your  precious  time  is  more 
worthily  occupied  in  behalf  of  the  state." 

"  Thou  overratest  my  consequence.  I  sometimes 
visit  the  Council  of  Three  Hundred  ;  but  my  years 
and  infirmities  preclude  me  now  from  serving  the 
republic  as  I  could  wish. — Praise  be  to  St.  Mark, 
our  patron !  its  affairs  are  not  unprosperous  for  our 
declining  fortunes.  We  have  dealt  bravely  with  the 
infidel  of  late ;  the  treaty  with  the  Emperor  is  not 
to  our  wrong ;  and  the  anger  of  the  church,  for  the 
late  seeming  breach  of  confidence  on  our  part,  has 
been  diverted.  We  owe  something  in  the  latter  af 
fair  to  a  young  Neapolitan,  who  sojourns  here  at 
Venice,  and  who  is  not  without  interest  at  the  Holy 
See,  by  reason  of  his  uncle,  the  Cardinal  Secretary. 
Much  good  is  done  by  the  influence  of  friends, 
properly  employed.  'Tis  the  secret  of  our  success 
in  the  actual  condition  of  Venice;  for  that  which 
power  cannot  achieve  must  be  trusted  to  favor  and 
a  wise  moderation." 

"Your  declarations  encourage  me  to  become, 
once  more,  a  suitor ;  for  I  will  confess  that,  in  addi 
tion  to  the  desire  of  doing  you  honor,  I  have  come, 
equally  with  the  wish,  to  urge  your  great  influence, 
in  behalf  of  an  earnest  suit,  I  have." 

"  What  now !  Our  young  charge,  Donna  Florin- 
da,  has  inherited,  with  the  fortunes  of  her  family 


TI1E    BRAVO  71 

its  ancient  habits  of  patronage  and  protection !  But 
we  will  not  discourage  the  feeling,  for  it  has  a 
worthy  origin,  and,  used  with  discretion,  it  fortifies 
the  noble  and  powerful  in  their  stations." 

"  And  may  we  not  say,"  mildly  observed  Donna 
Florinda, "  that  when  the  affluent  and  happy  employ 
themselves  with  the  cares  of  the  less  fortunate,  they 
not  only  discharge  a  duty,  but  they  cultivate  a 
wholesome  and  useful  state  of  mind'?" 

"  Doubt  it  not.  Nothing  can  be  more  useful  than 
to  give  to  each  class  in  society,  a  proper  sense  of 
its  obligations,  and  a  just  sentiment  of  its  duties. 
These  are  opinions  I  greatly  approve,  and  which  I 
desire  my  ward  may  thoroughly  understand." 

"  She  is  happy  in  possessing  instructors  so  able 
and  so  willing  to  teach  all  she  should  know,"  rejoin 
ed  Violetta.  "  With  this  admission,  may  I  ask  the 
Signor  Gradenigo  to  give  ear  to  my  petition?" 

"  Thy  little  requests  are  ever  welcome.  I  would 
merely  observe,  that  generous  and  ardent  tempera 
ments  sometimes  regard  a  distant  object  so  steadily, 
as  to  overlook  others  that  are  not  only  nearer,  and 
perhaps  of  still  more  urgent  importance,  but  more 
attainable.  In  doing  a  benefit  to  one,  we  should  be 
wary  not  to  do  injury  to  many.  The  relative  of 
some  one  of  thy  household  may  have  thoughtlessly 
enlisted  for  the  wars?" 

"  Should  it  be  so,  I  trust  the  recruit  will  have  the 
manhood  not  to  quit  his  colors." 

"  Thy  nurse,  who  is  one  little  likely  to  forget  the 
service  she  did  thy  infancy,  urges  the  claim  of  some 
kinsman,  to  an  employment  in  the  customs?" 

"  I  believe  all  of  that  family  are  long  since  placed," 
said  Violetta  laughing,  "  unless  we  might  establish 
the  good  mother  herself,  in  some  station  of  honor. 
I  have  naught  to  ask  in  their  behalf." 

"  She  who  hath  reared  thee,  to  this  goodly  and 
healthful  beauty,  would  prefer  a  well-supported  suit, 


72  THE   BRAVO. 

but  still  is  she  better,  as  she  is,  indolent,  and,  I  fear 
pampered  by  thy  liberality.  Thy  private  purse  is 
drained  by  demands  on  thy  charity ; — or,  perhaps, 
the  waywardness  of  a  female  taste  hath  cost  thee 
dear,  of  late?" 

"  Neither. — I  have  little  need  of  gold,  for  one  of 
my  years  cannot  properly  maintain  the  magnificence 
of  her  condition.  I  come,  guardian,  with  a  far 
graver  solicitation  than  any  of  these." 

"  I  hope  none,  in  thy  favor,  have  been  indiscreet 
of  speech!"  exclaimed  the  Signor  Gradenigo,  cast 
ing  a  hasty  and  suspicious  look  at  his  ward. 

"  If  any  have  been  so  thoughtless,  let  them  abide 
the  punishment  of  their  fault." 

"  I  commend  thy  justice.  In  this  age  of  novel 
opinions,  innovations  of  all  descriptions  cannot  be 
too  severely  checked.  Were  the  senate  to  shut  its 
ears  to  all  the  wild  theories  that  are  uttered  by  the 
unthinking  and  vain,  their  language  would  soon  pen 
etrate  to  the  ill-regulated  minds  of  the  ignorant  and 
idle.  Ask  me,  if  thou  wilt,  for  purses  in  scores,  but 
do  not  move  me  to  forgetfulness  of  the  guilt  of  the 
disturber  of  the  public  peace!" 

"  Not  a  sequin. — My  errand  is  of  nobler  quality." 

"  Speak  without  riddle,  that  I  mav  know  its  ob 
ject." 

Now  that  nothing  stood  between  her  wish  to 
speak,  and  her  own  manner  of  making  known  the 
request,  Donna  Violetta  appeared  to  shrink  from 
expressing  it.  Her  color  went  and  came,  and  she 
sought  support  from  the  eye  of  her  attentive  and 
wondering  companion.  As  the  latter  was  ignorant 
of  her  intention,  however,  she  could  do  no  more 
than  encourage  the  supplicant,  by  such  an  expres 
sion  of  sympathy  as  woman  rarely  refuses  to  her 
sex,  in  any  trial  that  involves  their  peculiar  and  dis 
tinctive  feelings.  Violetta  struggled  with  her  diifi- 


f.  THE   BRAVO.  73 

dence,  and  then  laughing  at  her  own  want  of  self- 
possession,  she  continued — 

"  You  know,  Signor  Gradenigo,"  she  said,  with  a 
loftiness  that  was  not  less  puzzling,  though  far  more 
intelligible,  than  the  agitation  which,  a  moment  before, 
had  embarrassed  her  manner,  "that  I  am  the  last  of 
a  line,  eminent  for  centuries,  in  the  state  of  Venice.'' 

"  So  sayeth  our  history." 

"  That  I  bear  a  name  long  known,  and  which  it 
becomes  me  to  shield  from  all  imputation  of  dis 
credit,  in  my  own  person." 

"  This  is  so  true,  that  it  scarce  needed  so  clear 
an  exposure;"  drily  returned  the  senator. 

"  And  that,  though  thus  gifted  by  the  accidents  of 
fortune  and  birth,  I  have  received  a  boon  that  re 
mains  still  unrequited,  in  a  manner  to  do  no  honor 
to  the  house  of  Thiepolo." 

"This  becometh  serious!  Donna  Florinda,  our 
ward  is  more  earnest  than  intelligible,  and  I  must 
ask  an  explanation  at  your  hands.  It  becometh  her 
not  to  receive  boons  of  this  nature  from  any." 

"  Though  unprepared  for  this  request,"  mildly  re 
plied  the  companion, "  I  think  she  speaks  of  the  boon 
of  life." 

The  Signor  Gradenigo's  countenance  assumed  a 
dark  expression. 

"  I  understand  you,"  he  said,  coldly.  "  It  is  true 
that  the  Neapolitan  was  ready  to  rescue  thee,  when 
the  calamity  befell  thy  uncle  of  Florence,  but  Don 
Camillo  Monforte  is  not  a  common  diver  of  the 
Lido,  to  be  rewarded  like  him  who  finds  a  bauble 
dropped  from  a  gondola.  Thou  hast  thanked  the 
cavalier;  I  trust  that  a  noble  maiden  can  do  no 
more,  in  a  case  like  this." 

"  That  I  have  thanked  him,  and  thanked  him  from 
my  soul,  is  true!"  fervently  exclaimed  Violetta. 
"  When  I  forget  the  service,  Maria  Santissima,  and 
the  good  saints,  forget  me ! " 
Q 


74  THE    BRAVO. 

•'1  doubt,  Signora  Florinda,  that  your  charge 
hath  spent  more  hours  among  the  light  works  of 
her  late  father's  library,  and  less  time  with  ^er 
missal,  than  becomes  her  birth?" 

The  eye  of  Violetta  kindled,  and  she  folded  an 
arm  around  the  form  of  her  shrinking  companion 
who  drew  down  her  veil  at  this  reproof,  though  sh 
forbore  to  answer. 

"  Signor  Gradenigo,"  said  the  young  heiress,  "  I 
may  have  done  discredit  to  my  instructors,  but  if 
the  pupil  has  been  idle,  the  fault  should  not  be  visited 
on  the  innocent.  It  is  some  evidence  that  the  com 
mands  of  holy  church  have  not  been  neglected,  that 
I  now  come  to  entreat  favor  in  behalf  of  one,  to 
whom  I  owe  my  life.  Don  Camillo  Monforte  has 
ong  pursued,  without  success,  a  claim  so  just,  that 
were  there  no  other  motive  to  concede  it,  the  char 
acter  of  Venice  should  teach  the  senators  the  dan 
ger  of  delay." 

"  My  ward  has  spent  her  leisure  with  the  doctors 
of  Padua!  The  republic  hath  its  laws,  and  none 
who  have  right  of  their  side  appeal  to  them  in  vain. 
Thy  gratitude  is  not  to  be  censured;  it  is  rather 
worthy  of  thy  origin  and  hopes ;  still,  Donna  Vio 
letta,  we  should  remember  how  difficult  it  is  to  win 
now  the  truth  from  the  chaff  of  imposition  and  legal 
subtlety,  and,  most  of  all,  should  a  judge  be  certain, 
before  he  gives  his  decree,  that,  in  confirming  the 
claims  of  one  applicant,  he  does  not  defeat  those  of 
another." 

"  They  tamper  with  his  rights !  Being  born  in  a 
foreign  realm,  he  is  required  to  renounce  more  in 
the  land  of  the  stranger,  than  he  will  gain  within 
the  limits  of  the  republic.  He  wastes  life  and 
youth  in  pursuing  a  phantom !  You  are  of  weight 
in  the  senate,  my  guardian,  and  were  you  to  lend 
nim  the  support  of  your  powerful  voice  and  great 
instruction,  a  wronged  noble  would  have  justice,  and 


THE  BRAVO.  75 

Venice,  though  she  might  lose  a  trifle  from  her  stores, 
would  better  deserve  the  character  of  which  she  is 
so  jealous." 

"  Thou  art  a  persuasive  advocate,  and  I  will  think 
of  what  thou  urgest,"  said  the  Signer  Gradenigo, 
changing  the  frown,  which  had  been  gathering  about 
his  brow,  to  a  look  of  indulgence,  with  a  facility  that 
betrayed  much  practice  in  adapting  the  expression 
of  his  features  to  his  policy.  "I  ought  only  to 
hearken  to  the  Neapolitan,  in  my  public  character 
of  a  judge ;  but  his  service  to  thee,  and  my  weakness 
in  thy  behalf,  extorts  that  thou  would'st  have." 

Donna  Violetta  received  the  promise,  with  a  bright 
and  guileless  smile.  She  kissed  the  hand  he  extend 
ed,  as  a  pledge  of  his  faith,  with  a  fervor  that  gave 
her  attentive  guardian  serious  uneasiness. 

"  Thou  art  too  winning,  even  to  be  resisted  by  one 
wearied  with  rebutting  plausible  pretensions,"  he 
added.  "  The  young  and  the  generous,  Donna  Flo- 
rinda,  believe  all  to  be  as  their  own  wishes  and  sim 
plicity  would  have  them.  As  for  this  right  of  Don 
Camillo — but  no  matter — thou  wilt  have  it  so,  and  it 
shall  be  examined  with  that  blindness  which  is  said 
to  be  the  failing  of  justice." 

"  I  have  understood  the  metaphor  to  mean  blind 
fo  favor,  but  not  insensible  to  the  right." 

"  I  fear  that  is  a  sense  which  might  defeat  our 
hopes — but  we  will  look  into  it.  My  son  has  been 
mindful  of  his  duty  and  respect  of  late,  Donna  Vio 
letta,  as  I  would  have  him  ?  The  boy  wants  little 
urging,  I  know,  to  lead  him  to  do  honor  to  my  ward, 
and  the  fairest  of  Venice.  Thou  wilt  receive  him 
with  friendship,  for  the  love  thou  bearest  his  father?" 

Donna  Violetta  curtsied,  but  it  was  with  womanly 
reserve. 

"  The  door  of  my  palace  is  never  shut  on  the 
Signer  Giacomo,  on  all  proper  occasions,"  she  said, 


76  THE  BRAVO. 

coldly.  "  Signore,  the  son  of  my  guardian  •  could 
hardly  be  other  than  an  honored  visitor." 

"  I  would  have  the  boy  attentive — and  even  morej 
I  would  have  him  prove  some  little  of  that  great 

esteem, but  we  live  in  a  jealous  city,  Donna  Flo- 

rinda,  and  one  in  which  prudence  is  a  virtue  of  tho 
nighest  price.  If  the  youth  is  less  urgent  than  I 
could  wish,  believe  me,  it  is  from  the  apprehension 
of  giving  premature  alarm  to  those  who  interest 
themselves  in  the  fortunes  of  our  charge." 

Both  the  ladies  bowed,  and  by  the  manner  in 
which  they  drew  their  cloaks  about  them,  they  made 
evident  their  wish  to  retire.  Donna  Violetta  craved 
a  blessing,  and  after  the  usual  compliments,  and  a 
short  dialogue  of  courtesy,  she  and  her  companion 
withdrew  to  their  boat. 

The  Signor  Gradenigo  paced  the  room,  in  which 
he  had  received  his  ward,  for  several  minutes  in 
silence.  Not  a  sound  of  any  sort  was  audible 
throughout  the  whole  of  the  vast  abode,  the  stillness 
and  cautious  tread  of  those  writhirr,  answering  to 
the  quiet  town  without ;  but  a  young  man,  in  whose 
countenance  and  air  were  to  be  seen  most  of  the 
usual  signs  of  a  well-bred  profligacy,  sauntering 
along  the  suite  of  chambers,  at  length  caught  the 
eye  of  the  senator,  who  beckoned  him  to  approach. 

"  Thou  art  unhappy,  as  of  wont,  Giacomo,"  he 
said,  in  a  tone  between  paternal  indulgence  and 
reproach.  "  The  Donna  Violetta  has,  but  a  minute 
since,  departed,  and  thou  wert  absent.  Some  un 
worthy  intrigue  with  the  daughter  of  a  jeweller,  or 
some  more  injurious  bargain  of  thy  hopes,  with  the 
father,  hath  occupied  the  time  that  might  have  been 
devoted  more  honorably,  and  to  far  better  profit." 

"  You  do  me  little  justice,"  returned  the  youth. 
"  Neither  Jew,  nor  Jewess,  hath  this  day  greeted  my 
eye." 

"  The  calendar  should  mark  the  time,  for  its  sin 


rtt£  BRAVO.  77 

gularity !     I  would  know,  Giacomo,  if  thou  turnest 
to  a  right  advantage  the  occasion  of  my  guardian 
ship,  and  if  thou  thinkest,  with  sufficient  gravity,  of 
the  importance  of  what  I  urge?" 

"  Doubt  it  not,  father.  He  who  hath  so  much  suf- 
ered  for  the  want  of  that  which  the  Donna  Violetta 
possesses  in  so  great  profusion,  needeth  little  prompt 
ing  on  such  a  subject.  By  refusing  to  supply  my 
wants,  you  have  made  certain  of  my  consent.  There 
is  not  a  fool  in  Venice  who  sighs  more  loudly  be 
neath  his  mistress's  window,  than  I  utter  my  pathetic 
wishes  to  the  lady — when  there  is  opportunity,  and 
1  am  in  the  humor." 

"Thou  knowest  the  danger  of  alarming  the 
senate?" 

"Fear  me  not.  My  progress  is  by  secret  and 
gradual  means.  Neither  my  countenance  nor  my 
mind  is  unused  to  a  mask, — thanks  to  necessity!  My 
spirits  have  been  too  buoyant  not  to  have  made  me 
acquainted  with  duplicity!" 

"  Thou  speakest,  ungrateful  boy,  as  if  I  denied  thy 
youth  the  usual  indulgences  of  thy  years  and  rank. 
It  is  thy  excesses,  and  not  thy  spirits,  I  would  check. 
But  I  would  not,  now,  harden  thee  with  reproof. 
Giacomo,  thou  hast  a  rival  in  the  stranger.    His  act 
in  the  Giudecca  has  won  upon  the  fancy  of  the  girl, 
and  like  all  of  generous  and  ardent  natures,  ignorant 
as  she  is  of  his  merits,  she  supplies  his  character 
with  all  necessary  qualities  by  her  own  ingenuity." 
"  I  would  she  did  the  same  by  me !" 
"  With  thee,  Sirrah,  my  ward  might  be  required 
to  forget,  rather  than  invent.     Hast  thou  bethought 
thee  of  turning  the  eyes  of  the  council  on  the  dan 
ger  which  besets  their  heiress?" 
"  I  have." 

"And  the  means?" 

"  The  plainest  and  the  most  certain— the  Lion's 
mouth." 

G2 


78  THE    BRAVO. 

"  Ha ! — that,  indeed,  is  a  bold  adventure.1* 

"And,  like  all  bold  adventures,  it  is  the  more 
likely  to  succeed.  For  once  Fortune  hath  not  been 
a  niggard  with  me. — I  have  given  them  the  Neapoli 
tan's  signet  by  way  of  proof." 

"Giacomo!  dost  thou  know  the  hazard  of  thy 
temerity  ?  I  hope  there  is  no  clue  left  in  the  hand 
writing,  or  by  any  other  means  taken  to  obtain  the 
ring?" 

"  Father,  though  I  may  have  overlooked  thy  in 
struction  in  less  weighty  matters,  not  an  admonition 
which  touches  the  policy  of  Venice  hath  been  for 
gotten.  The  Neapolitan  stands  accused,  and  if  thy 
Council  is  faithful,  he  will  be  a  suspected,  if  not  a 
banished,  man." 

"  That  the  Council  of  Three  will  perform  its  trust 
is  beyond  dispute.  I  would  I  were  as  certain  that 
thy  indiscreet  zeal  may  not  lead  to  some  unpleasant 
exposure!" 

The  shameless  son  stared  at  the  father  a  moment 
in  doubt,  and  then  he  passed  into  the  more  private 
parts  of  the  palace,  like  one  too  much  accustomed 
to  double-dealing,  to  lend  it  a  second,  or  a  serious 
thought.  The  senator  remained.  His  silent  walk 
was  now  manifestly  disturbed  by  great  uneasiness ; 
and  he  frequently  passed  a  hand  across  his  brow,  as 
if  he  mused  in  pain.  While  thus  occupied,  a  figure 
stole  through  the  long  suite  of  ante-chambers,  and 
stopped  near  the  door  of  the  room  he  occupied. 
The  intruder  was  aged ;  his  face  was  tawny  by  ex- 
posure,  and  his  hair  thinned  and  whitened  by  time. 
His  dress  was  that  of  a  fisherman,  being  both  scanty 
and  of  the  meanest  materials.  Still  there  was  a 
naturally  noble  and  frank  intelligence  in  his  bold  eye 
and  prominent  features,  while  the  bare  arms  and 
naked  legs  exhibited  a  muscle  and  proportion,  which 
proved  that  nature  was  rather  at  a  stand  than  in  the 
tiecline.  He  had  been  many  moments  dangling  his 


THE   BRAVO.  79 

cap,  in  nabitual  but  unembarrassed  respect,  before 
his  presence  was  observed. 

"Ha!  thou  here,  Antonio!"  exclaimed  the  sena 
tor,  when  their  eyes  met.  "  Why  this  visit  1 " 

"  Signore,  my  heart  is  heavy." 

"  Hath  the  calendar  no  saint — the  fisherman  no 
patron?  I  suppose  the  sirocco  hath  been  tossing 
the  waters  of  the  bay,  and  thy  nets  are  empty. — 
Hold!  thou  art  my  foster-brother,  and  thou  must 
not  want." 

The  fisherman  drew  back  with  dignity,  refusing 
the  gift  simply,  but  decidedly,  by  the  act. 

"  Signore,  we  have  lived  from  childhood  to  old 
age  since  we  drew  our  milk  from  the  same  breast ; 
in  all  that  time,  have  you  ever  known  me  a  beggar?" 

"  Thou  art  not  wont  to  ask  these  boons,  Antonio, 
it  is  true ;  but  age  conquers  our  pride  with  our 
strength.  If  it  be  not  sequins  that  thou  seekost, 
what  would'st  thou?" 

"  There  are  other  wants  than  those  of  the  body 
Signore,  and  other  sufferings  beside  hunger." 

The  countenance  of  the  senator  lowered.  He 
cast  a  sharp  glance  at  his  foster-brother,  and  ere  he 
answered  he  closed  the  door  which  communicated 
with  the  outer  chamber. 

"  Thy  words  forebode  disaffection,  as  of  wont 
Thou  art  accustomed  to  comment  on  measures  and 
interests  that  are  beyond  thy  limited  reason,  and 
thou  knowest  that  thy  opinions  have  already  drawn 
displeasure  on  thee.  The  ignorant  and  the  low  are; 
to  the  state,  as  children,  whose  duty  it  is  to  obey 
and  not  to  cavil. — Thy  errand  ?" 

"  I  am  not  the  man  you  think  me,  Signore.  I  am 
used  to  poverty  and  want,  and  little  satisfies  my 
wishes.  The  senate  is  my  master,  and  as  such  I 
honor  it ;  but  a  fisherman  hath  his  feelings  as  well 
as  the  doge ! " 

"  Again ! — These  feelings  of  thine,  Antonio,  are 


80  TTIE    BRAVO. 

most  exacting.  Thou  namest  them  on  all  occasions 
as  if  they  were  the  engrossing  concerns  of  life." 

"  Signore,  are  they  not  to  me  ?  Though  I  thinlj 
mostly  of  my  own  concerns,  still  I  can  have  a 
thought  for  the  distress  -of  those  I  honor.  When 
the  beautiful  and  youthful  lady,  your  eccellenza's 
daughter,  was  called  away  to  the  company  of  the 
saints,  I  felt  the  blow  as  if  it  had  been  the  death  of 
my  own  child ;  and  it  has  pleased  God,  as  you  very 
well  know,  Signore,  not  to  leave  me  unacquainted 
with  the  anguish  of  such  a  loss." 

".  Thou  art  a  good  fellow,  Antonio,"  returned  the 
senator,  covertly  removing  the  moisture  from  his 
eyes;  "an  honest  and  a  proud  man,  for  thy  con 
dition!" 

"  She,  from  whom  we  both  drew  our  first  nour 
ishment,  Signore,  often  told  me  tnat,  next  to  my 
own  kin,  it  was  my  duty  to  love  the  noble  race  she 
had  helped  to  support.  I  make  no  merit  of  natural 
feeling,  which  is  a  gift  from  Heaven,  and  the  greater 
is  the  reason  that  the  state  should  not  deal  lightly 
with  such  affections." 

"  Once  more  the  state ! — Name  thy  errand." 

"  Your  eccellenza  knows  the  history  of  my  hum 
ble  life.  I  need  not  tell  you,  Signore,  of  the  sons 
which  God,  by  the  intercession  of  the  Viigin  and 
blessed  St.  Anthony,  was  pleased  to  bestow  on  me, 
or  of  the  manner  in  which  he  hath  seen  proper  to 
take  them,  one  by  one,  away." 

"  Thou  hast  known  sorrow,  poor  Antonio ;  I  well 
remember  thou  hast  suffered,  too." 

"  Signore,  I  have.  The  death*  of  five  manly  and 
honest  sons  is  a  blow  to  bring  a  groan  from  a  rock. 
But  I  have  known  how  to  bless  God,  and  be 
thankful!" 

"  Worthy  fisherman,  the  doge  himself  might  envy 
this  resignation.  It  is  often  easier  to  endure  the 
loss  than  the  life  of  a  child,  Antonio !" 


THE  BRAVO.  81 

'*  Signore,  no  boy  of  mine  ever  caused  me  grief, 
but  the  hour  in  which  he  died.  And  even  then,"  the 
old  man  turned  aside,  to  conceal  the  working  of  his 
features — "  I  struggled  to  remember,  from  how  much 
pain,  and  toil,  and  suffering  they  were  removed,  to 
enjoy  a  more  blessed  state." 

The  lip  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo  quivered,  and 
he  moved  to  and  fro  with  a  quicker  step. 

"  I  think,  Antonio,"  he  said,  "  I  think,  honest  An 
tonio,  I  had  masses  said  for  the  souls  of  them  all  ? " 

"  Signore,  you  had ;  St.  Anthony  remember  the 
kindness  in  your  own  extremity !  I  was  wrong  in 
saying  that  the  youths  never  gave  me  sorrow  but  in 
dying,  for  there  is  a  pain  the  rich  cannot  know,  in 
being  too  poor  to  buy  a  prayer  for  a  dead  child ! " 

"Wilt  thou  have  more  masses?  Son  of  thine 
shall  never  want  a  voice  with  the  saints,  for  the 
ease  of  his  soul!" 

"  I  thank  you,  eccellenza,  but  I  have  faith  in  what 
has  been  done,  and,  more  than  all,  in  the  mercy  of 
God.  My  errand  now  is  in  behalf  of  the  living," 

The  sympathy  of  the  senator  was  suddenly  check 
ed,  and  he  already  listened  with  a  doubting  and 
suspicious  air. 

"  Thy  errand?"  he  simply  repeated. 

"  Is  to  beg  your  interest,  Signore,  to  obtain  the 
release  of  my  grandson  from  tne  galleys.  They 
have  seized  the  lad  in  his  fourteenth  year,  and  con 
demned  him  to  the  wars  with  the  Infidels,  without 
thought  of  his  tender  years,  without  thought  of  evil 
example,  without  thought  of  my  age  and  loneliness, 
and  without  justice ;  for  his  father  died  in  the  last 
battle  given  to  the  Turk." 

As  he  ceased,  the  fisherman  riveted  his  look  on 
the  marble  countenance  of  his  auditor,  wistfully  en 
deavoring  to  trace  the  effect  of  his  words.  But  aa 
there  was  co)d,  unanswering,  and  void  of  human 
ivmpathy.  The  soulless,  practised,  and  specious 


82  THE    BRAVU 

reasoning  of  the  state,  had  long  since  deadened  all 
feeling  in  the  senator,  on  any  subject  that  touched  an 
interest  so  vital  as  the  maritime  power  of  the  re 
public.  He  saw  the  hazard  of  innovation  in  the 
slightest  approach  to  interests  so  delicate,  and  his 
mind  was  drilled  by  policy  into  an  apathy  that  no 
charity  could  disturb,  when  there  was  question  of 
the  right  of  St.  Mark  to  the  services  of  his  people. 

"  I  would  thou  hadst  come  to  beg  masses,  or 
gold,  or  aught  but  this,  Antonio!"  he  answered, 
after  a  moment  of  delay.  "Thou  hast  had  the 
company  of  the  boy,  if  I  remember,  from  his  birth, 
already1?" 

"  Signore,  I  have  had  that  satisfaction,  for  he  was 
an  orphan  born ;  and  I  would  wish  to  have  it  until 
the  child  is  fit  to  go  into  the  world,  armed  with  an 
honesty  and  faith  that  shall  keep  him  from  harm. 
Were  my  own  brave  son  here,  he  would  ask  no 
other  fortune  for  the  lad,  than  such  counsel  and  aid 
as  a  poor  man  has  a  right  to  bestow  on  his  own 
flesh  and  blood." 

"He  fareth  no  worse  than  others;  and  thou 
knowest  that  the  republic  hath  need  of  every  arm." 

"Eccellenza,  I  saw  the  Signor  Giacomo  land 
from  his  gondola,  as  I  entered  the  palace." 

"  Out  upon  thee,  fellow !  dost  thou  make  no  dis 
tinction  between  the  son  of  a  fisherman,  one  trained 
to  the  oar  and  toil,  and  the  heir  of  an  ancient  house? 
Go  to,  presuming  man,  and  remember  thy  condi 
tion,  and  the  difference  that  God  hath  made  between 
our  children." 

"Mine  never  gave  me  sorrow  but  the  hour  in 
which  they  died,"  said  the  fisherman,  uttering  a 
severe  but  mild  reproof. 

The  Signor  Gradenigo  felt  the  sting  of  this  retort, 
which  in  no  degree  aided  the  cause  of  his  indiscreet 
foster-brother.  After  pacing  the  room  in  agitation 


THE    BRAVO.  83 

for  some  time,  he  so  far  conquered  his  resentment, 
as  to  answer  more  mildly,  as  became  his  rank. 

"  Antonio,"  he  said,  "  thy  disposition  and  boldness 
are  not  strangers  to  me — If  thou  would'st  have 
masses  for  the  dead,  or  gold  for  the  living,  they  are 
thine ;  but  in  asking  for  my  interest  with  the  general 
of  the  galleys,  thou  askest  that  which,  at  a  moment 
so  critical,  could  not  be  yielded  to  the  son  of  the 
doge,  were  the  doge — " 

"A  fisherman,"  continued  Antonio,  observing 
that  he  hesitated — "Signore,  adieu;  I  would  not 
part  in  anger  with  my  foster-brother,  and  I  pray  the 
saints  to  bless  you  and  your  house.  May  you  never 
know  the  grief  of  losing  a  child  by  a  fate  far  worse 
than  death — that  of  destruction  by  vice." 

As  Antonio  ceased,  he  made  his  reverence  and 
departed  by  the  way  he  had  entered.  He  retired 
unnoticed,  for  the  senator  averted  his  eyes,  with  a 
secret  consciousness  of  the  force  of  what  the  other, 
in  his  simplicity,  had  uttered ;  and  if  was  some  time 
before  the  latter  knew  he  was  alone.  Another  step, 
however,  soon  diverted  his  attention.  The  door  re 
opened,  and  a  menial  appeared.  He  announced 
that  one  without  sought  a  private  audience. 

"Let  him  enter,"  answered  the  ready  senator, 
smoothing  his  features  to  the  customary  cautious 
and  distrustful  expression. 

The  servant  withdrew,  when  one  masked,  and 
wearing  a  cloak,  quickly  entered  the  room.  When 
the  latter  instrument  of  disguise  was  thrown  upon 
an  arm,  and  the  visor  was  removed,  the  form  and 
face  cf  the  dreaded  Jacopo  became  visible. 


84  THE    BRAVO- 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Caesar  himself  has  work,  and  our  oppression 
Exceeds  what  we  expected. 

SlIAKSPEARK, 

" DIDST  thou  note  him  that  left  me?"  eagerly  de 
manded  the  Signer  Gradenigo. 

"I  did." 

"  Enough  so  to  recognize  form  and  countenance?' 

"  'Twas  a  fisherman  of  the  Lagunes,  named 
Antonio." 

The  senator  dropped  the  extended  limb,  and  re 
garded  the  Bravo,  with  a  look,  in  which  surprise 
and  admiration  were  equally  blended.  He  resumed 
his  course  up  and  down  the  room,  while  his  com 
panion  stood  waiting  his  pleasure,  in  an  attitude  so 
calm  as  to  be  dignified.  A  few  minutes  were 
wasted  in  this  abstraction. 

"  Thou  art  quick  of  sight,  Jacopo !"  continued  the 
patrician,  brealdng  the  pause — "  Hast  thou  had  deal 
ings  with  the  man  ? " 

"  Never." 

"  Thou  art  certain  it  is — " 

"  Your  eccellenza's  foster-brother." 

"  I  did  not  inquire  into  thy  knowledge  of  his  in 
fancy  and  origin,  but  of  his  present  state ;"  returned 
the  Signer  Gradenigo,  turning  away  to  conceal  his 
countenance  from  the  glowing  eye  of  Jacopo — "  Has 
he  been  named  to  thee  by  any  in  authority?" 

"  He  has  not — my  mission  does  not  lie  with  fish 
ermen." 

"Duty  may  lead  us  into  still  humbler  society 
young  man.  They  who  are  charged  with  the 
grievous  burthen  of  the  state,  must  not  consider  the 
quality  of  the  load  they  carry.  In  what  manner 
hath  this  Antonio  come  to  thy  knowledge?" 


THE    BRAVO.  85 

"  I  have  known  him  as  one  esteemed  by  his  fel- 
ows — a  man  skilful  in  his  craft,  and  long  practised 
in  the  mystery  of  the  Lagunes." 

"  He  is  a  defrauder  of  the  revenue,  thou  would'st 
be  understood  to  say?" 

"  I  would  not.  He  toils  too  late  and  early  to  have 
other  means  of  support  than  labor." 

"  Thou  knowest,  Jacopo,  the  severity  of  our  laws 
in  matters  that  concern  the  public  moneys?" 

"  I  know  that  the  judgment  of  St.  Mark,  Signore, 
is  never  light  when  its  own  interest  is  touched." 

"  Thou  art  not  required  to  utter  opinions  beyond 
the  present  question.  This  man  hath  a  habit  of 
courting  the  good- will  of  his  associates,  and  of 
making  his  voice  heard  concerning  affairs  of  which 
none  but  his  superiors  may  discreetly  judge." 

"  Signore,  he  is  old,  and  the  tongue  grows  loose 
with  years." 

"  This  is  not  the  character  of  Antonio.  Nature 
hath  not  treated  him  unkindly;  had  his  birth  and 
education  been  equal  to  his  mind,  the  senate  might 
have  been  glad  to  listen — as  it  is,  I  fear  he  speaks  in 
a  sense  to  endanger  his  own  interests." 

"Surely,  if  he  speaks  to  offend  the  ear  of  St. 
Mark." 

There  was  a  quick  suspicions  glance  from  the 
senator  to  the  Bravo,  as  if  to  read  the  true  meaning 
of  the  latter's  words.  Finding,  however,  the  same 
expression  of  self-possession  in  the  quiet  features  he 
scrutinized,  the  latter  continued  as  if  distrust  had 
not  been  awakened. 

"  If,  as  thou  sayest,  he  so  speaks  as  to  injure  the 
republic,  his  years  have  not  brought  discretion.  I 
love  the  man,  Jacopo,  for  it  is  usual  to  regard,  with 
some  partiality,  those  who  have  drawn  nourishment 
from  the  same  breast  with  ourselves." 

"  Signore,  it  is." 

"  And  feelinor  this  weakness,  in  his  favor,  I  would 
H 


86  THE    BRAVO. 

have  him  admonished  to  be  prudent.  Thou  art 
acquainted,  doubtless,  with  his  opinions  concerning 
the  recent  necessity  of  the  state,  to  command  the 
services  of  all  the  youths  on  the  Lagunes  in  her 
fleets?" 

"  I  know  that  the  press  has  taken  from  him  the 
boy  who  toiled  in  his  company." 

"To  toil  honorably,  and  perhaps  gainfully,  in 
behalf  of  the  republic  ! " 

"  Signore,  perhaps !" 

"  Thou  art  brief  in  thy  speech  to-night,  Jacopo ! 
— But  if  thou  knowest  the  fisherman,  give  him  coun 
sel  of  discretion.  St.  Mark  will  not  tolerate  such 
free  opinions  of  his  wisdom.  This  is  the  third  occa 
sion  in  which  there  has  been  need  to  repress  that 
fisherman's  speech;  for  the  paternal  care  of  the 
senate  cannot  see  discontent  planted  in  the  bosom 
of  a  class,  it  is  their  duty  and  pleasure  to  render 
happy.  Seek  opportunities  to  let  him  hear  this 
wholesome  truth,  for  in  good  sooth,  I  would  not 
willingly  see  a  misfortune  light  upon  the  head  of  a 
son  of  my  ancient  nurse,  and  that,  too,  in  the  decline 
of  his  days." 

The  Bravo  bent  his  body  in  acquiescence,  while 
the  Signor  Gradenigo  paced  the  room,  in  a  manner 
to  show  that  he  really  felt  concern. 

"  Thou  hast  had  advice  of  the  judgment,  in  the 
matter  of  the  Genoese  ? "  resumed  the  latter,  when 
another  pause  had  given  time  to  change  the  current 
of  his  thoughts.  "  The  sentence  of  the  tribunals  has 
been  prompt,  arid,  though  there  is  much  assumption 
of  a  dislike  between  the  two  republics,  the  world 
can  now  see  how  sternly  justice  is  consulted  on  our 
isles.  I  hear  the  Genoese  will  have  ample  amends, 
and  tnat  certain  of  our  own  citizens  will  be  mulcted 
of  much  money." 

"  I  have  heaid  the  same  since  the  sun  set,  in  the 
Piazzetta,  Signore  1" 


THE   BRAVO.  87 

"  And  do  men  converse  of  our  impartiality,  and 
more  than  all  of  our  promptitude?  Bethink  thee, 
Jacopo,  'tis  but  a  se'nnight  since  the  claim  was  pre 
ferred  to  the  senate's  equity !" 

"None  dispute  the  promptitude  with  which  the 
republic  visits  offences." 

"  Nor  the  justice,  I  trust  also,  good  Jacopo.  There 
is  a  beauty  and  a  harmony  in  the  manner  in  which 
the  social  machine  rolls  on  its  course,  under  such  a 
system,  that  should  secure  men's  applause !  Justice 
administers  to  the  wants  of  society,  and  checks  the 
passions  with  a  force  as  silent  and  dignified,  as  if 
her  decrees  came  from  a  higher  volition.  I  often 
compare  the  quiet  march  of  the  state,  contrasted 
with  the  troubled  movements  of  some  other  of  our 
Italian  sisters,  to  the  difference  between  the  clatter 
of  a  clamorous  town,  and  the  stillness  of  our  own 
noiseless  canals.  Then  the  uprightness  of  the  late 
decree  is  in  the  mouths  of  the  masquers  to-night?" 

"  Signore,  the  Venetians  are  bold  when  there  is 
an  opportunity  to  praise  their  masters." 

"Dost  thou  think  thus,  Jacopo?  To  me  they 
have  ever  seemed  more  prone  to  vent  their  seditious 
discontent.  But  'tis  the  nature  of  man  to  be  nig 
gardly  of  praise  and  lavish  of  censure.  This  decree 
of  the  tribunal  must  not  be  suffered  to  die,  with  the 
mere  justice  of  the  case.  Our  friends  should  dwell 
on  it,  openly,  in  the  cafes,  and  at  the  Lido.  They 
will  have  no  cause  to  fear,  should  they  give  their 
tongues  a  little  latitude.  A  just  government  hath  no 
jealousy  of  comment." 

"  True,  Signore." 

"  I  look  to  thee  and  thy  fellows  to  see  that  the 
affair  be  not  too  quickly  forgotten.  The  contempla 
tion  of  acts,  such  as  this,  will  quicken  the  dormant 
seeds  of  virtue  in  the  public  mind.  He  who  has  ex 
amples  of  equity  incessantly  before  his  eyes,  will 


88  THE   BRAVO. 

come  at  last  to  love  the  quality.  The  Genoese,  1 
trust,  will  depart  satisfied?" 

"  Doubt  it  not,  Signore  ;  he  has  all  that  can  con 
tent  a  sufferer ;  his  own  with  usury,  and  revenge  of 
him  who  did  the  wrong." 

"  Such  is  the  decree — ample  restoration  and  the 
chastening  hand  of  punishment.  Few  states  would 
thus  render  a  judgment  against  itself,  Jacopo !" 

"  Is  the  state  answerable  for  the  deed  of  the  mer 
chant,  Signore?" 

"  Through  its  citizen.  He  who  inflicts  punishmcn , 
on  his  own  members,  is  a  sufferer,  surely.  No  one 
can  part  with  his  own  flesh  without  pain ;  is  not  this 
true,  fellow?" 

"  There  are  nerves  that  are  delicate  to  the  touch, 
Signore,  and  an  ^ye  or  a  tooth  is  precious ;  but  the 
paring  of  a  nail,  or  the  fall  of  the  beard,  is  little 
heeded." 

"  One  who  did  not  know  thee,  Jacopo,  would 
imagine  thee  in  the  interest  of  the  emperor !  The 
sparrow  does  not  fall  in  Venice,  without  the  loss 
touching  the  parental  feelings  of  the  senate.  Well, 
is  there  further  rumor  among  the  Jews,  of  a  de 
crease  of  gold  ?  Sequins  are  not  so  abundant  as  of 
wont,  and  the  chicanery  of  that  race  lends  itself 
to  the  scarcity,  in  the  hope  of  larger  profits." 

"  I  have  seen  faces  on  the  Rialto,  of  late,  Signore, 
that  look  empty  purses.  The  Christian  seems  anx 
ious,  and  in  want,  while  the  unbelievers  wear  their 
gaberdines  with  a  looser  air  than  is  usual." 

"  This  hath  been  expected.  Doth  report  openly 
name  any  of  the  Israelites  who  are  in  the  custom  of 
lending,  on  usury,  to  the  young  nobles?" 

"  Afl,  who  have  to  lend,  may  be  accounted  of  the 
class;  the  whole  synagogue,  rabbis,  and  all,  are 
of  a  mind,  when  there  is  question  of  a  Christian's 
purse." 

"  Thou  likest  not  the  Hebrew,  Jacopo ;  but  he  is 


THE  BRAVO.  89 

of  good  service  in  the  republic's  straits.  We  count 
all  friends,  who  are  ready  with  their  gold  at  need 
Still  the  young  hopes  of  Venice  must  not  be  left  to 
waste  their  substance  in  unwary  bargains  with  the 
gainful  race,  and  should'st  thou  hear  of  any  of  mark, 
who  are  thought  to  be  too  deeply  in  their  clutches, 
thou  wilt  do  wisely  to  let  the  same  be  known,  with 
little  delay,  to  the  guardians  of  the  public  weal.  We 
must  deal  tenderly  with  those  who  prop  the  state, 
but  we  must  also  deal  discreetly  with  those  who  will 
shortly  compose  it.  Hast  fhou  aught  to  say  in  the 
matter?" 

"  I  have  heard  men  speak  of  Signor  Giacomo  as 
paying  dearest  for  their  favors." 

"  Gesu  Maria !  my  son  and  heir !  Dost  thou  not 
deceive  me,  man,  to  gratify  thine  own  displeasure 
against  the  Hebrews  ? " 

"  I  have  no  other  malice  against  the  race,  Sig- 
nore,  than  the  wholesome  disrelish  of  a  Christian. 
Thus  much  I  hope  may  be  permitted  to  a  believer, 
but  beyond  that,  in  reason,  I  carry  hatred  to  no  man. 
It  is  well  known  that  your  heir  is  disposing  freely 
of  his  hopes,  and  at  prices  that  lower  expectations 
might  command." 

"  This  is  a  weighty  concern !  The  boy  must  be 
speedily  admonished  of  the  consequences,  and  care 
must  be  had  for  his  future  discretion.  The  Hebrew 
shall  be  punished,  and  as  a  so'emn  warning  to  the 
whole  tribe,  the  debt  confiscated  to  the  benefit  of  the 
borrower.  With  such  an  example  before  their  eyes, 
the  knaves  will  be  less  ready  with  their  sequins. 
Holy  St.  Theodore !  'twere  self-destruction  to  suffei 
one  of  such  promise  to  be  lost  for  the  want  of  pru 
dent  forethought.  I  will  charge  myself  with  the 
matter,  as  an  especial  duty,  and  the  senate  shall 
have  no  cause  to  say  that  its  interests  have  been 
neglected.  Hast  thou  had  applications  of  late,  in 
ihy  character  of  avenger  of  private  wrongs'?" 
H2 


90  THE   BRAVO. 

"  None  of  note — there  is  one  that  seeks  me  earn 
estly,  though  I  am  not  yet  wholly  the  master  of  his 
wishes." 

"  Thy  office  is  of  much  delicacy  and  trust,  and 
as  thou  art  well  assured,  the  reward  is  weighty  and 
sure."  The  eyes  of  the  Bravo  kindled  with  an  ex 
pression  which  caused  his  companion  to  pause.  But 
observing  that  the  repose,  for  which  the  features  of 
Jacopo  were  so  remarkable,  again  presided  over  his 
pallid  face,  he  continued,  as  if  there  had  been  no 
interruption ;  "  I  repeaf,  the  bounty  and  clemency 
of  the  state  will  not  be  forgotten.  If  its  justice  is 
stern  and  infallible,  its  forgiveness  is  cordial,  and  its 
favors  ample.  Of  these  facts  I  have  taken  much 
pains  to  assure  thee,  Jacopo. — Blessed  St.  Mark! 
that  one  of  the  scions  of  thy  great  stock  should 
waste  his  substance  for  the  benefit  of  a  race  of  un 
believers  !  But  thou  hast  not  named  him  who  seeks 
thee,  with  this  earnestness?" 

"  As  I  have  yet  to  learn  his  errand,  before  I  go 
further,  Signore,  it  may  be  well  to  know  more  of 
his  wishes." 

"  This  reserve  is  uncalled  for.  Thou  art  not  to 
distrust  the  prudence  of  the  republic's  ministers,  and 
I  should  be  sorry  were  the  Inquisitors  to  get  an  un 
favorable  opinion  of  thy  zeal.  The  individual  must 
be  denounced." 

"  I  denounce  him  not.  The  most  that  I  can  say 
is,  that  he  hath  a  desire  to  deal  privately  with  one, 
with  whom  it  is  almost  criminal  to  deal  at  all." 

"  The  prevention  of  crime  is  better  than  its  pun 
ishment,  and  such  is  the  true  object  of  all  govern 
ment.  Thou  wilt  not  withhold  the  name  of  thy  cor 
respondent  ? " 

"  It  is  a  noble  Neapolitan,  who  hath  long  sojourn 
ed  in  Venice,  on  matters  touching  a  great  succes 
sion,  and  some  right,  even,  to  the  senate's  dignity." 


THE  BRAVO  91 

"  Ha !  Don  Camillo  Monforte !  Am  I  right,  sir 
rah?" 

"  Signore,  the  same !" 

The  pause  which  followed  was  only  broken  by 
the  clock  of  the  great  square  striking  eleven,  or  the 
fourth  hour  of  the  night,  as  it  is  termed,  by  the  usag 
of  Italy.     The  senator  started,  consulted  a  time 
piece  in  his  own  apartment,  and  again  addressed  hi 
companion. 

"  This  is  well,"  he  said ;  "  thy  faith  and  punctuali 
ty*  shall  be  remembered.  Look  to  the  fisherman, 
Antonio ;  the  murmurs  of  the  old  man  must  not  be 
permitted  to  awaken  discontent,  for  a  cause  so 
trifling,  as  this  transfer  of  his  descendant  from  a 
gondola  to  a  galley ;  and  most  of  all,  keep  thy  ears 
attentive  to  any  rumors  on  the  Rialto.  The  glory 
and  credit  of  a  patrician  name  must  not  be  weaken 
ed  by  the  errors  of  boyhood.  As  to  this  stranger — 
quickly,  thy  mask  and  cloak — depart  as  if  thou  wert 
merely  a  friend  bent  on  some  of  the  idle  pleasantries 
of  the  hour." 

The  Bravo  resumed  his  disguise  with  the  readi 
ness  of  one  long  practised  in  its  use,  but  with  a 
composure  that  was  not  so  easily  disconcerted  as 
that  of  the  more  sensitive  senator.  The  latter  did 
not  speak  again,  though  he  hurried  Jacopo  from  his 
presence,  by  an  impatient  movement  of  the  hand. 

When  the  door  was  closed  and  the  Signor  Gra- 
denigo  was  again  alone,  he  once  more  consulted  the 
time-piece,  passed  his  hand  slowly  and  thoughtfully 
across  his  brow,  and  resumed  his  walk.  For  near 
ly  an  hour  this  exercise,  or  nervous  sympathy  of 
the  body  with  a  mind  that  was  possibly  overwork 
ed,  continued  without  any  interruption  from  with 
out.  Then  came  a  gentle  tap  at  the  door,  and  at 
the  usual  bidding,  one  enfered,  closely  masked,  like 
him  who  had  departed,  as  was  so  much  the  usage 
of  that  city,  in  the  age  of  which  we  write.  A 


92  THE   BRAVO. 

glance  at  the  figure  of  his  guest  seemed  to  apprise 
the  senator  of  his  character,  for  the  reception,  while 
it  was  distinguished"  by  the  quaint  courtesy  of  the' 
age,  was  that  of  one  expected. 

"  I  am  honored  in  the  visit  of  Don  Camillo  Mon- 
forte,"  said  the  host,  while  the  individual  named  laid 
aside  his  cloak  and  silken  visor ;  "  though  the  late 
ness  of  the  hour  had  given  me  reason  to  apprehend 
that  some  casualty  had  interfered  between  me  and 
the  pleasure." 

"  A  thousand  excuses,  noble  senator,  but  the  cool 
ness  of  the  canals,  and  the  gaiety  of  the  square,  to 
gether  with  some  apprehension  of  intruding  prema 
turely  on  time  so  precious,  has,  I  fear,  kept  me  out 
of  season.  But  I  trust  to  the  known  goodness  of 
the  Signor  Gradenigo  for  my  apology." 

"  The  punctuality  of  the  great  lords  of  Lower 
Italy  is  not  their  greatest  merit,"  the  Signor  Grade 
nigo  drily  answered.  "  The  young  esteem  life  so 
endless,  that  they  take  little  heed  of  the  minutes  that 
escape  them  ;  while  we,  whom  age  begins  to  men 
ace,  think  chiefly  of  repairing  the  omissions  of  youth. 
In  this  manner,  Signor  Duca,  does  man  sin  and  re 
pent  daily,  until  the  opportunities  of  doing  either  are 
imperceptibly  lost.  But  we  will  not  be  more  prodiga 
of  the  moments  than  there  is  need — are  we  to  hope 
for  better  views  in  the  Spaniard  V9 

"  I  have  neglected  little  that  can  move  the  mind 
of  a  reasonable  man,  and  I  have,  in  particular,  laid 
before  him  the  advantage  of  conciliating  the  sen 
ate's  esteem." 

"  Therein  have  you  done  wisely,  Signore,  both  as 
respects  his  interests  and  your  own.  The  senate 
is  a  liberal  paymaster  to  him  who  serves  it  well, 
and  a  fearful  enemy  to  those  who  do  harm  to  the 
state.  I  hope  the  matter  of  the  succession  draws 
near  a  conclusion?" 

"  I  wish  it  were  possible  to  say  it  did.    I  urge  the 


THE   BRAVO.  93 

tribunal  in  all  proper  assiduity,  omitting  no  duty  of 
personal  respect,  nor  of  private  solicitation.  Padua 
has  not  a  doctor  more  learned  than  he  who  presents 
my  right  to  their  wisdom,  and  yet  the  affair  lingers 
like  life  in  the  hectic.  If  I  have  not  shown  myself 
a  worthy  son  of  St.  Mark,  in  this  affair  with  the 
Spaniard,  it  is  more  from  the  want  of  a  habit  of 
managing  political  interests,  than  from  any  want 
of  zeal." 

"  The  scales  of  justice  must  be  nicely  balanced 
to  hang  so  long,  without  determining  to  one  side  or 
the  other !  You  will  have  need  of  further  assiduity, 
Don  Camillo,  and  of  great  discretion  in  disposing 
the  minds  of  the  patricians  in  your  favor.  It  will 
be  well  to  make  your  attachment  to  the  state  be  ob 
served,  by  further  service  near  the  ambassador 
You  are  known  to  have  his  esteem,  and  counsel 
coming  from  such  a  quarter  will  enter  deeply  into 
his  mind.  It  should  also  quicken  the  exertions  of  so 
benevolent  and  generous  a  young  spirit,  to  know 
that  in  serving  his  country,  he  also  aids  the  cause 
of  humanity." 

Don  Camillo  did  not  appear  to  be  strongly  im 
pressed  with  the  justice  of  the  latter  remark.  He 
bowed,  however,  in  courtesy  to  his  companion's 
opinion. 

"It  is  pleasant,  Signore,  to  be  thus  persuaded," 
he  answered ;  "  my  kinsman  of  Castile  is  a  man  to 
hear  reason,  let  it  come  from  what  quarter  it  may 
Though  he  meets  my  arguments  with  some  allusions 
to  the  declining  power  of  the  republic,  I  do  not  see 
less  of  deep  respect  for  the  influence  of  a  state, 
that  hath  long  made  itself  remarkable  by  its  energy 
and  will." 

"  Venice  is  no  longer  what  the  city  of  the  Isles 
hath  been,  Signer  Duca ;  still  is  she  not  powerless. 
The  wings  of  our  lion  are  a  little  clipped,  but  his 
teap  is  still  far,  and  his  teeth  dangerous.  If  the 


94  THE  BRAVO. 

new-made  prince  would  have  his  ducal  coronet  sit 
easily  on  his  brow,  he  would  do  well  to  secure  the 
esteem  of  his  nearest  neighbors." 

"  This  is  obviously  true,  and  little  that  my  influ 
ence  can  do  toward  effecting  the  object,  shall  be 
wanting.  And  now,  may  I  entreat  of  your  friend 
ship,  advice  as  to  the  manner  of  further  urging  my 
own  long-neglected  claims?" 

"  You  will  do  well,  Don  Camillo,  to  remind  the 
senators  of  your  presence,  by  frequent  observance 
of  the  courtesies  due  to  their  rank  and  yours." 

"  This  do  I  never  neglect,  as  seemly  both  in  my 
station  and  my  object.''' 

"  The  judges  should  not  be  forgotten,  young  man, 
for  it  is  wise  to  remember  that  justice  hath  ever  an 
ear  for  solicitation." 

"  None  can  be  more  assiduous  in  the  duty,  nor  is 
it  common  to  see  a  suppliant  so  mindful  of  those 
whom  he  trouble th,  by  more  substantial  proofs  of 
respect." 

"  But  chiefly  should  you  be  particular  to  earn  the 
senate's  esteem.  No  act  of  service  to  the  state  is 
overlooked  by  that  body,  and  the  smallest  good  deed 
finds  its  way  into  the  recesses  of  the  two  councils." 

"  Would  I  could  have  communication  with  those 
reverend  fathers !  I  think  the  justice  of  my  claim 
would  speedLy  work  out  its  own  right." 

"That  were  impossible!"  gravely  returned  the 
senator.  "  Those  august  bodies  are  secret,  that 


their  majesty  may  not  be  tarnished  by  communica 
tion  with  vulgar  interests.  They  rule  like  the  un 
seen  influence  of  mind  over  matter,  and  form,  as  it 
were,  the  soul  of  the  state,  whose  seat,  like  that  of 
reason,  remains  a  problem  exceeding  human  pene 
tration." 

''  I  express  the  desire,  rather  as  a  wish  than  with 
any  hope  of  its  being  granted,"  returned  the  Duke  of 
St.  Agata,  resuming  his  cloak  and  mask,  neither  of 


THE  BRAVO.  95 

which  had  been  entirely  laid  aside.  "  Adieu,  noble 
Signore;  I  shall  not  cease  to  move  the  Castilian 
with  frequent  advice,  and,  in  return,  I  commit  my 
affair  to  the  justice  of  the  patricians,  and  your  own 
good  friendship." 

Signor  Gradenigo  bowed  his  guest  through  all 
the  rooms  of  the  long  suite,  but  the  last,  where  he 
committed  him  to  the  care  of  the  groom  of  his 
chambers. 

"  The  youth  must  be  stirred  to  greater  industry 
in  this  matter,  by  clogging  the  wheels  of  the  law. 
He  that  would  ask  favors  of  St.  Mark  must  first 
earn  them,  by  showing  zealous  dispositions  in  his 
behalf." 

Such  were  the  reflections  of  the  Signor  Gra 
denigo,  as  he  slowly  returned  towards  his  closet, 
after  a  ceremonious  leave-taking  with  his  guest,  in 
the  outer  apartment.  Closing  the  door,  he  com 
menced  pacing  the  small  apartment,  with  the  step 
and  eye  of  a  man  who  again  mused  with  some 
anxiety.  After  a  minute  of  profound  stillness,  a 
door,  concealed  by  the  hangings  of  the  room,  was 
cautiously  opened,  and  the  face  of  still  another 
visitor  appeared. 

"  Enter!"  said  the  senator,  betraying  no  surprise 
at  the  apparition;  "the  hour  is  past,  and  I  wait 
for  thee." 

The  flowing  dress,  the  gray  and  venerable  beard, 
the  noble  outline  of  features,  the  quick,  greedy,  and 
suspicious  eye,  with  an  expression  of  countenance 
that  was,  perhaps,  equally  marked  by  worldly  saga 
city,  and  feelings  often  rudely  rebuked,  proclaimed 
a  Hebrew  of  the  Rialto.  * 

"  Enter,  Hosea,  and  unburthen  thyself,"  continued 
the  senator,  like  one  prepared  for  some  habitua. 
communication.  "  Is  there  aught  new  that  touches 
the  public  weal  ? " 

"Blessed  is  the  people  over  whom  there  is  so 


90  THE   BRAVO. 

fatherly  a  care !  Can  there  be  good  or  evil  to  the 
citizen  of  the  republic,  noble  Signore,  without  the 
bowels  of  the  senate  moving,  as  the  parent  yearn- 
eth  over  its  young  1  Happy  is  the  country  in  which 
men  of  reverend  years  and  whitened  heads  watch, 
until  night  draws  toward  the  day,  and  weariness 
is  forgotten  in  the  desire  to  do  good,  and  to  honct 
the  state!" 

"  Thy  mind  partaketh  of  the  eastern  imagery  of 
the  country  of  thy  fathers,  good  Hosea,  and  thou 
art  apt  to  forget  that  thou  art  not  yet  watching  on 
the  steps  of  the  temple.  What  of  interest  hath  the 
day  brought  forth?" 

"  Say  rather  the  night,  Signore,  for  little  worthy 
of  your  ear  hath  happened,  save  a  matter  of  some 
trifling  import,  which  hath  grown  out  of  the  move 
ments  of  the  evening." 

"  Have  there  been  stilettoes  busy  on  the  bridge  ? — 
ha  ! — or  do  the  people  joy  less  than  common  in  their 
levities?" 

"  None  have  died  wrongfully,  and  the  square  is 
gay  as  the  fragrant  vineyards  of  Engedi.  Holy 
Abraham !  what  a  place  is  Venice  for  its  pleasures, 
and  how  the  hearts  of  old  and  young  revel  in  their 
merriment !  It  is  almost  sufficient  to  fix  the  font  in 
the  synagogue,  to  witness  so  joyous  a  dispensation 
in  behalf  of  the  people  of  these  islands !  I  had  not 
hoped  for  the  honor  of  an  interview  to-night,  Sig 
nore,  and  I  had  prayed,  before  laying  my  head  upon 
the  pillow,  when  one  charged  by  the  council  brought 
to  me  a  jewel,  with  an  order  to  decipher  the  arms 
and  other  symbols  of  its  owner.  'Tis  a  ring,  with 
the  usual  marks,  which  accompany  private  con 
fidences." 

"  Thou  hast  the  signet?"  said  the  noble,  stretching 
Dut  an  arm. 

"  It  is  here,  and  a  goodly  stone  it  is ;  a  turquoiso 
of  price  " 


THE    BRAVO.  97 

0  Whence  came  it — and  why  is  it  sent  to  thee  ?  " 

"  It  came,  Signore,  as  I  gather  more  through 
hints  and  intimations  of  the  messenger  than  by  his 
words,  from  a  place  resembling  that  which  the 
righteous  Daniel  escaped,  in  virtue  of  his  godliness 
and  birth." 

"  Thou  meanest  the  Lion's  Mouth  ?" 

"  So  say  our  ancient  books,  Signore,  in  reference 
to  the  prophet,  and  so  would  the  council's  agent 
seem  to  intimate,  in  reference  to  the  ring." 

"  Here  is  naught  but  a  crest  with  the  equestrian 
helmet — comes  it  of  any  in  Venice?" 

"  The  upright  Solomon  guide  the  judgment  of  his 
servant  in  a  matter  of  this  delicacy !  The  jewel  is 
of  rare  beauty,  such  as  few  possess  but  those  who 
have  gold  in  store  for  other  purposes.  Do  but  re 
gard  the  soft  lustre  in  this  light,  noble  Signore,  and 
remark  the  pleasing  colors  that  rise  by  the  change 
of  view!" 

"Ay — 'tis  well — but  who  claimeth  the  bearings?" 

"  It  is  wonderful  to  contemplate  how  great  a  value 
may  lie  concealed  in  so  small  a  compass !  I  have 
known  sequins  of  full  weight  and  heavy  amount 
given  for  baubles  less  precious." 

"  Wilt  thou  never  forget  thy  stall  and  the  way 
farers  of  the  Rialto?  I  bid  thee  name  him  who 
beareth  these  symbols  as  marks  of  his  family  and 
rank." 

"Noble  Signore,  I  obey.  The  crest  is  of  the 
family  of  Monforte,  the  last  senator  of  which  died 
some  fifteen  years  since." 

"And  his  jewels'?" 

"  They  have  passed,  with  other  movables  of 
which  the  state  taketh  no  account,  into  the  keeping 
of  his- kinsman  and  successor — if  it  be  the  senate's 
pleasure  that  there  shall  be  a  successor  to  that  an 
cient  name — Don  Camillo  of  St.  Agata.  The 
wealthy  Neapolitan  who  now  urges  his  nghts  here 


98  THE   BRAVO. 

. 

in  Venice,  is  the  present  owner'  of  this  precious 
stone." 

"  Give  me  the  ring ;  this  must  be  looked  to — hast 
thou  more  to  say?" 

"  Nothing,  Signore — unless  to  petitioD  iJ  there  is 
to  be  any  condemnation  and  sale  of  the  jewel,  that 
it  may  first  be  offered  to  an  ancient  servitor  of  the 
republic,  who  hath  much  reason  to  regret  that  his 
age  hath  been  less  prosperous  than  his  youth." 

"Thou  shalt  not  be  forgotten.  I  hear  it  said, 
Hosea,  that  divers  of  our  young  nobles  frequent  thy 
Hebrew  shops  with  intent  to  borrow  gold,  which, 
lavished  in  present  prodigality,  is  to  be  bitterly  re 
paid  at  a  later  day  by  self-denial,  and  such  embar 
rassments  as  suit  not  the  heirs  of  noble  names. 
Take  heed  of  this  matter — for  if  the  displeasure  of 
the  council  should  alight  on  any  of  thy  race,  there 
would  be  long  and  serious  accounts  to  settle !  Hast 
thou  had  employment  of  late  with  other  signets,  be 
sides  this  of  the  Neapolitan?" 

"  Unless  in  the  vulgar  way  of  our  daily  occupa 
tion,  none  of  note,  illustrious  Signore." 

"  Regard  this,"  continued  the  Signor  Gradenigo, 
first  searching  in  a  secret  drawer,  whence  he  drew 
a  small  bit  of  paper,  to  which  a  morsel  of  wax  ad 
hered  ;  "  canst  thou  form  any  conjecture,  by  the  im 
pression,  concerning  him  who  used  that  seal?" 

The  jeweller  took  the  paper  and  held  it  towards 
the  light,  while  his  glittering  eyes  intently  examined 
the  conceit. 

"  This  would  surpass  the  wisdom  of  the  son  of 
David !"  he  said,  after  a  long  and  seemingly  a  fruit 
less  examination ;  "  here  is  naught  but  some  fanciful 
device  of  gallantry,  such  as  the  light-hearted  cava 
liers  of  the  city  are  fond  of  using,  when  they  tempt 
the  weaker  sex  with  fair  words  and  seductive  van' 
ities," 


THE  BRAVO  99 

"  It  is  a  heart  pierced  with  the  dart  of  love,  and 
a  motto  of  'pensa  al  cuore  trqfitto  d'amore.'" 

"  Naught  else,  as  my  eyes  do  their  duty.  I  snould 
think  there  was  but  very  little  meant  by  those 
words,  Signore!" 

"  That  as  may  be.  Thou  hast  never  sold  a  jewe 
with  that  conceit?" 

"Just  Samuel!  We  dispose  of  them  daily,  to 
Christians  of  both  sexes  and  all  ages.  I  know  no 
device  of  greater  frequency,  whereby  I  conceive 
there  is  much  commerce  in  this  light  fidelity." 

"  He  who  used  it  did  well  in  concealing  his 
thoughts  beneath  so  general  a  dress !  There  will  be 
a  reward  of  a  hundred  sequins  to  him  who  traces 
the  owner." 

Hosea  was  about  to  return  the  seal  as  beyond  his 
knowledge,  when  this  remark  fell  casually  from  the 
lips  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo.  In  a  moment  his  eyes 
were  fortified  with  a  glass  of  microscopic  power, 
and  the  paper  was  again  before  the  lamp. 

"I  disposed  of  a  cornelian  of  no  great  price, 
which  bore  this  conceit,  to  the  wife  of  the  emperor's 
ambassador,  but  conceiving  there  was  no  more  in 
the  purchase  than  some  waywardness  of  fancy,  I 
took  no  precaution  to  note  the  stone.  A  gentleman 
tn  the  family  of  the  Legate  of  Ravenna,  also,  traf 
ficked  with  me  for  an  amethyst  of  the  same  design, 
but  with  him,  neither,  did  I  hold  it  important  to  be 
particular  Ha!  here  is  a  private  mark,  that  in 
truth  seemeth  to  be  of  my  own  hand !" 

"Dost  thou  find  a  clue?  What  is  the  sign  of 
which  thou  speakest?" 

"  Naught,  noble  senator,  but  a  slur  in  a  letter, 
which  would  not  be  apt  to  catch  the  eye  of  an  over 
credulous  maiden." 

"  And  thou  parted  with  the  seal  to ?" 

Hosea  hesitated,  for  he  foresaw  some  danger  of 


100  THE    BRAVO. 

losing  his  reward,  by  a  too  hasty  communication 
of  the  truth. 

"If  it  be  important  that  the  fact  be  known, 
Signore,"  he  said,  "  I  will  consult  my  books.  In  a 
matter  of  this  gravity,  the  senate  should  not  be 
misled." 

"  Thou  sayest  well.  The  affair  is  grave,  and  the 
reward  a  sufficient  pledge  that  we  so  esteem  it." 

"  Something  was  said,  illustrious  Signore,  of  a 
hundred  sequins;  but  my  mind  taketh  little  heed 
of  such  particulars,  when  the  good  of  Venice  is  in 
question." 

"  A  hundred  is  the  sum  I  promised." 

"  I  parted  with  a  signet-ring,  bearing  some  such 
design,  to  a  female  in  the  service  of  the  nuncio's 
first  gentleman.  But  this  seal  cannot  come  of  that, 
since  a  woman  of  her  station " 

"Art  sure?"  eagerly  interrupted  the  Signor 
Gradenigo. 

Hosea  looked  earnestly  at  his  companion ;  and 
reading  in  his  eye  and  countenance  that  the  clue 
was  agreeable,  he  answered  promptly, — 

"  As  that  I  live  under  the  law  of  Moses !  The 
bauble  had  been  long  on  hand  without  an  offer,  and 
I  abandoned  it  to  the  uses  of  my  money." 

"  The  sequins  are  thine,  excellent  Jew !  This 
clears  the  mystery  of  every  doubt.  Go  ;  thou  shalt 
have  thy  reward ;  and  if  thou  hast  any  particulars 
in  thy  secret  register,  let  me  be  quickly  possessed 
of  them.  Go  to,  good  Hosea,  and  be  punctual 
as  of  wont.  I  tire  of  these  constant  exercises  of 
the  spirit ! " 

The  Hebrew,  exulting  in  his  success,  now  took 
his  leave,  with  a  manner  in  which  habitual  cupidity 
and  subdued  policy  completely  mastered  every 
other  feeling.  He  disappeared  by  the  passage 
through  which  he  had  entered. 

It  seemed,  by  the  manner  of  the  Signor  Gra 


THE    BRAVO.  101 

v'K»  /he  receptions  for  that  evening  had  now 
enaed.  lie  carefully  examined  the  locks  of  several 
secret  drawers  in  his  cabinet,  extinguished  the  lights, 
closed  and  secured  the  doors,  and  quitted  the  place. 
For  some  time  longer,  however,  he  paced  one  of 
the  principal  rooms  of  the  outer  suite,  until  the  usual 
hour  having  arrived,  he  sought  his  rest,  and  the 
palace  was  closed  for  the  night. 

The  reader  will  have  gained  some  insight  into  the 
character  of  the  individual  who  was  the  chief  actor 
in  the  foregoing  scenes.  The  Signor  Gradenigo 
was  born  with  all  the  sympathies  and  natural  kind 
liness  of  other  men,  but  accident,  and  an  education 
which  had  received  a  strong  bias  from  the  institu 
tions  of  the  self-styled  republic,  had  made  him  the 
creature  of  a  conventional  policy.  To  him  Venice 
seemed  a  free  state,  because  he  partook  so  largely 
of  the  benefits  of  her  social  system;  and,  though 
shrewd  and  practised  in  most  of  the  affairs  of  the 
world,  his  faculties,  on  the  subject  of  the  political 
ethics  of  his  country,  were  possessed  of  a  rare  and 
accommodating  dullness.  A  senator,  he  stood  in 
relation  to  the  state  as  a  director  of  a  moneyed  insti 
tution  is  proverbially  placed  in  respect  to  his  corpo 
ration  ;  an  agent  of  its  collective  measures,  removed 
from  the  responsibilities  of  the  man.  He  could 
reason  warmly,  if  not  acutely,  concerning  the  prin 
ciples  of  government,  and  it  would  be  difficult,  even 
in  this  money-getting  age,  to  find  a  more  zealous 
convert  to  the  opinion  that  property  was  not  a 
subordinate,  but  the  absorbing  interest  of  civilized 
life.  He  would  talk  ably  of  character,  and  honor 
and  viitue,  and  religion,  and  the  rights  of  persons 
but  when  called  upon  to  act  in  their  behalf,  ther 
was  in  his  mind  a  tendency  to  blend  them  all  with 
worldly  policy,  that  proved  as  unerring  as  the  gravi 
tation  of  matter  to  the  earth's  centre.  As  a  venetian 
he  was  equally  opposed  to  the  domination  of  one,  or 
12 


102  THE   BRAVO. 

of  the  whole ;  being,  as  respects  the  first,  a  furious 
republican,  and,  in  reference  to  the  last,  leaning  to 
that  singular  sophism  which  calls  the  dominion  of 
the  majority  the  rule  of  many  tyrants !  In  short, 
he  was  an  aristocrat ;  and  no  man  had  more  indus 
triously  or  more  successfully  persuaded  himself  into 
the  belief  of  all  the  dogmas  that  were  favorable  to 
his  caste.  He  was  a  powerful  advocate  of  vested 
rights,  for  their  possession  was  advantageous  to 
himself;  he  was  sensitively  alive  to  innovations  on 
usages  and  to  vicissitudes  in  the  histories  of  families, 
for  calculation  had  substituted  taste  for  principles ; 
nor  was  he  backward,  on  occasion,  in  defending 
his  opinions  by  analogies  drawn  from  the  decrees 
of  Providence.  With  a  philosophy  that  seemed  to 
satisfy  himself,  he  contended  that,  as  God  had  estab 
lished  orders  throughout  his  own  creation,  in  a  de 
scending  chain  from  angels  to  men,  it  was  safe  to 
follow  an  example  which  emanated  from  a  wisdom 
that  was  infinite.  Nothing  could  be  more  sound 
than  the  basis  of  his  theory,  though  its  application 
had  the  capital  error  of  believing  there  was  any 
imitation  of  nature  in  an  endeavor  to  supplant  it. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  moon  went  down  ;  and  nothing  now  was  seen 
Save  where  the  lamp  of  a  Madonna  shone 
Faintly. 

ROGERS. 

FUST  as  the  secret  audiences  of  the  Palazzo  Gra- 
denigo  were  ended,  the  great  square  of  St.  Mark 
began  to  lose  a  portion  of  its  gaiety.  The  cafes 
were  ixrv  occupied  by  parties  who  had  the  means, 
and  were  in  the  humor,  to  put  their  indulgences  to 


THE  BRAVO.  103 

more  substantial  proof  than  the  passing  gibe  or  idle 
laugh ;  while  those  who  were  reluctantly  compelled 
to  turn  their  thoughts  from  the  levities  of  the  mo 
ment  to  the  cares  of  the  morrow,  were  departing 
in  crowds  to  humble  roofs  and  hard  pillows.  There 
remained  one  of  the  latter  class,  however,  wrho  con 
tinued  to  occupy  a  spot  near  the  junction  of  the 
two  squares,  as  motionless  as  if  his  naked  feet  grew 
to  the  stone  on  which  he  stood.  It  was  Antonio. 

The  position  of  the  fisherman  brought  the  whole 
of  his  muscular  form  and  bronzed  features  beneath 
the  rays  of  the  moon.  The  dark,  anxious,  and  stern 
eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  mild  orb,  as  if  their  owner 
sought  to  penetrate  into  another  world,  in  quest  of 
that  peace  which  he  had  never  known  in  this. 
There  was  suffering  in  the  expression  of  the  wea 
ther-worn  face ;  but  it  was  the  suffering  of  one  whose 
native  sensibilities  had  been  a  little  deadened  by  too 
much  familiarity  with  the  lot  of  the  feeble.  To  one, 
who  considered  life  and  humanity  in  any  other  than 
their  familiar  and  vulgar  aspects,  he  would  have 
presented  a  touching  picture  of  a  noble  nature,  en 
during  with  pride,  blunted  by  habit ;  while  to  him, 
who  regards  the  accidental  dispositions  of  society 
as  paramount  laws,  he  might  have  presented  the 
image  of  dogged  turbulence  and  discontent,  health 
fully  repressed  by  the  hand  of  power.  A  heavy  sigh 
struggled  from  the  chest  of  the  old  man,  and,  stroking 
down  the  few  hairs  which  time  had  left  him,  he 
lifted  his  cap  from  the  pavement,  and  prepared  to 
move. 

"  Thou  art  late  from  thy  bed,  Antonio,"  said  a 
voice  at  his  elbow.  "  The  triglie  must  be  of  good 
price,  or  of  great  plenty,  that  one  of  thy  trade  can 
spare  time  to  air  himself  in  the  Piazza  at  this  hour. 
Thou  hearest,  the  clock  is  telling  the  fifth  hour  of 
the  night." 

The  fisherman  bent  his  head  aside,  and  regarded 


104  THE   BRAVO. 

the  figure  of  his  masked  companion,  for  a  moment, 
with  indifference,  betraying  neither  curiosity  nor 
feeling  at  his  address. 

"  Since  thou  knowest  me,"  he  answered,  "  it  is 
probable  thou  knowest  that  in  quitting  this  place,  I 
shall  go'  to  an  empty  dwelling.  Since  thou  knowest 
me  so  well,  thou  should'st  also  know  rny  wrongs." 

"  Who  hath  injured  thee,  worthy  fisherman,  that 
thou  speakest  so  boldly  beneath  the  very  windows 
of  the  doge?" 

"  The  state." 

"  This  is  hardy  language  for  the  ear  of  St. 
Mark!  Were  it  too  loudly  spoken,  yonder  lion 
might  growl. — Of  what  dost  thou  accuse  the  re 
public  ?" 

"  Lead  me  to  them  that  sent  thee,  and  I  will  spare 
the  trouble  of  a  go-between.  I  am  ready  to  tell  my 
wrongs  to  the  doge,  on  his  throne;  for  what  can 
one,  poor,  and  old  as  I,  dread  from  their  anger?" 

"  Thou  belie  vest  me  sent  to  betray  thee?" 

"  Thou  knowest  thine  own  errand." 

The  other  removed  his  mask,  and  turned  his  face 
towards  the  moon. 

"Jacopo!"  exclaimed  the  fisherman,  gazing  at 
the  expressive  Italian  features  ;  "  one  of  thy  char 
acter  can  have  no  errand  with  me." 

A  flush,  that  was  visible  even  in  that  light,  passed 
athwart  the  countenance  of  the  Bravo ;  but  he  stilled 
every  other  exhibition  of  feeling. 

"  Thou  art  wrong.     My  errand  is  with  thee." 

"  Does  the  senate  think  a  fisherman  of  the  La- 
gunes  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  struck  by  a 
stiletto?  Do  thy  work,  then! "he  added,  glancing 
at  his  brown  and  naked  bosom ;  "  there  is  nothing 
to  prevent  thee!" 

"  Antonio,  thou  dost  me  wrong.  The  senate  has 
no  such  purpose.  But  I  have  heard  that  thou  hast 
reason  for  discontent,  and  that  thou  speakest  openly, 


THE   BRAVO.  105 

on  the  Lido  and  among  the  islands,  of  affairs  that 
the  patricians  like  not  to  be  stirred  among  men  of 
your  class.  I  come,  as  a  friend,  to  warn  thee  of  the 
consequences  of  such  indiscretion,  rather  than  as 
one  to  harm  thee." 

"  Thou  art  sent  to  say  this?" 

"Old  man,  age  should  teach  thy  tongue  mode 
ration.     What  will   avail  vain   complaints  against 
the  republic,  or  what  canst  thou  hope  for,  as  their 
fruits,  but  evil  to  thyself,  and  evil  to  the  child  that 
thou  lovest  ? " 

'•I  know  not — but  when  the  heart  is  sore,  the 
tongue  will  speak.  They  have  taken  away  my  boy, 
and  they  have  left  little  behind  that  I  value.  The 
life  they  threaten  is  too  short  to  be  cared  for." 

"  Thou  should'st  temper  thy  regrets  with  wisdom. 
The  Signor  Gradenigo  has  long  been  friendly  to 
thee,  and  I  have  heard  that  thy  mother  nursed  him. 
Try  his  ears  with  prayers,  but  cease  to  anger  the 
republic  with  complaints." 

Antonio  looked  wistfully  at  his  companion,  but 
when  he  had  ceased,  he  shook  his  head  mournfully, 
as  if  to  express  the  hopelessness  of  relief  from  that 
quarter. 

"  I  have  told  him  all  that  a  man,  born  and  nursed 
on  the  Lagunes,  can  find  words  to  say.  He  is  a 
senator,  Jacopo ;  and  he  thinks  not  of  suffering  he 
does  not  feel." 

"Art  thou  not  wrong,  old  man,  to  accuse  him 
who  hath  been  born  in  affluence,  of  hardness  of 
heart,  merely  that  he  doth  not  feel  the  misery  thou 
would'st  avoid,  too,  were  it  in  thy  power  ?  Thou 
hast  thy  gondola  and  nets,  with  health  and  the  cun 
ning  of  thy  art,  and  in  that  art  thou  happier  than  he 
who  hath  neither — would'st  thou  forget  thy  skill, 
and  share  thy  little  stock  with  the  beggar  of  San 
Marco,  that  your  fortunes  might  be  equal  ?" 

**  There  may  be  truth  in  what  thou  sayest  of  our 


106  THE   BRAVO. 

.abor  and  our  means,  but  when  it  comes  to  our 
young,  nature  is  the  same  in  both.  I  see  no  reason 
why  the  son  of  the  patrician  should  go  free,  and  the 
child  of  the  fisherman  be  sold  to  blood.  Have  not 
the  senators  enough  of  happiness,  in  their  riches  and 
greatness,  that  they  rob  me  of  my  son  1 " 

.  "  Thou  knowest,  Antonio,  the  state  must  be  served, 
and  were  its  officers  to  go  into  the  palaces  in  quest 
of  hardy  mariners  for  the  fleet,  would  they,  think 
you,  find  them  that  would  honor  the  winged  lion,  in 
the  hour  of  his  need  ?  Thy  old  arm  is  muscular,  and 
thy  leg  steady  on  the  water,  and  they  seek  those 
who,  like  thee,  have  been  trained  to  the  seas." 

"  Thou  should'st  have  said,  also,  and  thy  old 
breast  is  scarred.  Before  thy  birth,  Jacopo,  I  went 
against  the  infidel,  and  my  blood  was  shed,  like 
water,  for  the  state.  But  they  have  forgotten  it, 
while  there  are  rich  marbles  raised  in  the  churches, 
which  speak  of  what  the  nobles  did,  who  came 
unharmed  from  the  same  wars." 

"  I  have  heard  my  father  say  as  much,"  returned 
the  Bravo,  gloomily,  and  speaking  in  an  altered 
voice.  "  He,  too,  bled  in  that  war ;  but  that  is 
forgotten." 

The  fisherman  glanced  a  look  around,  and  per 
ceiving  that  several  groups  were  conversing  near, 
in  the  square,  he  signed  to  his  companion  to  follow 
him,  and  walked  towards  the  quays. 

"  Thy  father,'  he  said,  as  they  moved  slowly  on 
together,  "  was  my  comrade  and  my  friend.  I  am 
old,  Jacopo,  and  poor ;  my  days  are  past  in  toil,  on 
the  Lagunes,  and  my  nights  in  gaining  strength  to 
meet  the  labor  of  the  morrow ;  but  it  hath  grieved 
me  to  hear  that  the  son  of  one  I  much  loved,  and 
with  whom  I  have  so  often  shared  good  and  evil, 
fair  and  foul,  hath  taken  to  a  life  like  that  which 
men  say  is  thine.  The  gold  that  is  the  price  of 


THE    BRAVO.  107 

blood  was  never  yet  blessed  to  him  that  gave,  or 
him  that  received." 

The  Bravo  listened  in  silence,  though  his  com 
panion,  who,  at  another  moment,  and  under  other 
emotions,  would  have  avoided  him  as  one  shrinks 
from  contagion,  saw,  on  looking  mournfully  up  into 
his  face,  that  the  muscles  were  slightly  agitated,  and 
that  a  paleness  crossed  his  cheeks,  which  the  light 
of  the  moon  rendered  ghastly. 

"  Thou  hast  suffered  poverty  to  tempt  thee  into 
grievous  sin,  Jacopo ;  but  it  is  never  too  late  to  call 
on  the  saints  for  aid,  and  to  lay  aside  the  stiletto 
It  is  not  profitable  for  a  man  to  be  known  in  Venice 
as  thy  fellow,  but  the  friend  of  thy  father  will  not 
abandon  one  who  shows  a  penitent  spirit.  Lay 
aside  thy  stiletto,  and  come  with  me  to  the  Lagunes. 
Thou  wilt  find  labor  less  burdensome  than  guilt,  and 
though  thou  never  canst  be  to  me  like  the  boy  they 
have  taken,  for  he  was  innocent  as  the  lamb !  thou 
wilt  still  be  the  son  of  an  ancient  comrade,  and  a 
stricken  spirit.  Come  with  me  then  to  the  Lagunes,, 
for  poverty  and  misery  like  mine,  cannot  meet  with 
more  contempt,  even  for  being  thy  companion." 

"What  is  it  men  say,  that  thou  treatest  me  thus  ?'' 
demanded  Jacopo,  in  a  low,  struggling  voice. 

"  I  would  they  said  untruth !  But  few  die  by  vio 
lence,  in  Venice,  that  thy  name  is  not  uttered." 

"  And  would  they  suffer  one  thus  marked,  to  go 
openly  on  the  canals,  or  to  be  at  large  in  the  great 
square  of  San  Marco?" 

"We  never  know  the  reasons  of  the  senate.  Some 
say  thy  time  is  not  yet  come,  while  others  think  thou 
art  too  powerful  for  judgment" 

"  Thou  dost  equal  credit  to  the  justice  and  th 
activity  of  the  inquisition.     But  should  I  go  with 
thee  to-night,  wilt  thou  be  more  discreet  in  speech 
among  thy  fellows  of  the  Lido,  and  the  islands?" 

"  When  the  heart  hath  its  load,  the  tongue  will 


108  THE    BRAVO 

strive  to  lighten  it.  I  would  do  any  thing  to  turn 
ihe  child  of  my  friend  from  his  evil  ways,  but  forget 
my  own.  Thou  art  used  to  deal  with  the  patricians. 
Jacopo ;  would  there  be  possibility  for  one,  clad  in 
this  dress,  and  with  a  face  blackened  by  the  sun,  to 
come  to  speak  with  the  doge?" 

"  There  is  no  lack  of  seeming  justice  in  Venice, 
Antonio ;  the  want  is  in  the  substance.  I  doubt  not 
thou  would'st  be  heard." 

"  Then  will  I  wait,  here,  upon  the  stones  of  the 
square,  until  he  comes  forth  for  the  pomp  of  to 
morrow,  and  try  to  move  his  heart  to  justice.  He 
is  old,  like  myself,  and  he  hath  bled  too,  for  the  state, 
and  what  is  more,  he  is  a  father." 

"  So  is  the  Signor  Gradenigo." 

"  Thou  doubtest  his  pity — ha?" 

"  Thou  canst  but  try.  The  Doge  of  Venice  will 
hearken  to  a  petition  from  the  meanest  citizen.  I 
think,"  added  Jacopo,  speaking  so  low  as  to  be 
scarcely  audible,  "  he  would  listen  even  to  me." 

"  Though  I  am  not  able  to  put  my  prayer  in  such 
speech  as  becometh  the  ear  of  a  great  prince,  he 
shall  hear  the  truth  from  a  wronged  man.  They 
call  him  the  chosen  of  the  state,  and  such  a  one 
should  gladly  listen  to  justice.  This  is  a  hard  bed, 
Jacopo,"  continued  the  fisherman,  seating  himself 
at  the  foot  of  the  column  of  St.  Theodore,  "  but  1 
have  slept  on  colder  and  as  hard,  when  there  was 
'ess  reason  to  do  it — a  happy  night." 

The  Bravo  lingered  a  minute  near  the  old  man, 
who  folded  his  arms  on  his  naked  breast,  which  was 
fanned  by  the  sea-breeze,  and  disposed  of  his  person 
to  take  his  rest  in  the  square,  a  practice  not  unusual 
among  men  of  his  class ;  but  when  he  found  that 
Antonio  was  inclined  to  be  alone,  he  moved  on, 
leaving  the  fisherman  to  himself. 

The  night  was  now  getting  to  be  advanced,  and 
lew  of  tne  revellers  remained  in  the  areas  of  the 


THE  BRAVO.  109 

iwo  squares.  Jacopo  cast  a  glance  around,  and 
acting  the  hour  and  the  situation  of  the  place,  he 
proceeded  to  the  edge  of  the  quay.  The  public 
gondoliers  had  left  their  boats  moored,  as  usual,  at 
this  spot,  and  a  profound  stillness  reigned  over  the 
whole  bay.  The  water  was  scarce  darkened  by 
the  air,  which  rather  breathed  upon  than  ruffled  its 
surface,  and  no  sound  of  oar  was  audible  amid  the 
forest  of  picturesque  and  classical  spars,  which 
crowded  the  view  between  the  Piazzetta  and  the 
Guidecca.  The  Bravo  hesitated,  cast  another  wary 
glance  around  him,  settled  his  mask,  undid  the  slight 
fastenings  of  a  boat,  and  presently  he  was  gliding 
away  into  the  centre  of  the  basin. 
.  "Who  cometh?"  demanded  one,  who  seemingly 
stood  at  watch,  in  a  felucca,  anchored  a  little  apart 
from  all  others. 

"  One  expected,"  was  the  answer. 

"Roderigo?" 

"  The  same." 

"  Thou  art  late,"  said  the  mariner  of  Calabria,  as 
Jacopo  stepped  upon  the  low  deck  of  the  Bella  Sor 
rentina.  "  My  people  have  long  been  below,  and  I 
have  dreamt  thrice  of  shipwreck,  and  twice  of  a 
heavy  sirocco,  since  thou  hast  been  expected." 

"  Thou  hast  had  more  time  to  wrong  the  customs. 
Is  the  felucca  ready  for  her  work?" 

"  As  for  the  customs,  there  is  little  chance  of  gain 
in  this  greedy  city.  The  senators  secure  all  profits 
to  themselves  and  their  friends,  while  we  of  the 
barks  are  tied  down  to  low  freights  and  hard  bar 
gains.  I  have  sent  a  dozen  casks  of  lachrymoe 
christi  up  the  canals  since  the  masquers  came 
abroad,  and  beyond  that  I  have  not  occasion. 
There  is  enough  left  for  thy  comfort,  at  need. 
Wilt  drink?" 

"  I  am  sworn  to  sobriety.  Is  thy  vessel  ready,  as 
wont,  for  the  errand  ?" 

K 


J10  THE   BRAVO. 

"  Is  the  senate  as  ready  with  its  money  ?  This  is 
the  fourth  of  my  voyages  in  their  service ;  and  they 
have  only  to  look  into  their  own  secrets  to  know  the 
manner  in  which  the  work  hath  been  done." 

"  They  are  content,  and  thou  hast  been  well  re 
warded." 

"  Say  it  not.  I  have  gained  more  gold  by  one 
lucky  shipment  of  fruits  from  the  isles,  than  by  all 
their  night-work.  Would  those  who  employ  me 
give  a  little  especial  traffic  on  the  entrance  of  the 
felucca,  there  might  be  advantage  in  the  trade." 

"  There  is  nothing  which  St.  Mark  visits  with  a 
heavier  punishment  than  frauds  on  his  receipts. 
Have  a  care  with  thy  wines,  or  thou  wilt  lose  not 
only  thy  bark  and  thy  voyage,  but  thy  liberty !" 

"  This  is  just  the  ground  of  my  complaint,  Sig- 
nor  Roderigo.  Rogue  and  no  rogue,  is  the  repub 
lic's  motto.  Here,  they  are  as  close  in  justice  as  a 
father  amid  his  children ;  and  there,  it  is  better  that 
what  is  done  should  be  done  at  midnight.  I  like  not 
the  contradiction,  for  just  as  my  hopes  are  a  little 
raised,  by  what  I  have  witnessed,  perhaps  a  little 
too  near,  they  are  all  blown  to  th^  winds,  by  such  a 
frown  as  San  Gennero  himself  »ttight  cast  upon  a 
sinner." 

"  Remember  thou  art  not  in  t/->  y  wi^e  Mediter 
ranean,  but  on  a  canal  of  Venice  This  language 
might  be  unsafe,  were  it  heard  >>y  less  friendly 
ears." 

"  I  thank  thee  for  thy  care,  thoqpth  the  sight  of 
yonder  old  palace  is  as  good  a  hipt  to  the  loose 
tongue,  as  the  sight  of  a  gibbet,  on  tb«  sea-shore,  to 
a  pirate.  I  met  an  ancient  fellow  in  *he  Piazzetta, 
about  the  time  the  masquers  came  in.  <*nd  we  h*d 
some  words  on  this  matter.  By  his  tally,  every 
second  man  in  Venice  is  well  paid  far  reporting 
what  the  others  say  and  do.  'Tis  a  pity  with  all 
their  seeming  love  of  justice,  good  Rodo  »go,  th*t 


THE   BRAVO.  Ill 

tne  senate  should  let  divers  knaves  go  at  large ;  men 
whose  very  faces  cause  the  stones  to  redden  with 
anger  and  shame !" 

"  I  did  not  know  that  any  such  were  openly  seen 
in  Venice ;  what  is  secretly  done  may  be  favored 
for  a  time,  through  difficulty  of  proof,  but — " 

"Cospetto!  They  tell  me  the  councils  have  a 
short  manner  of  making  a  sinner  give  up  his  mis 
deeds.  Now,  here  is  the  miscreant  Jacopo. — What 
aileth  thee,  man  1  The  anchor,  on  which  thou  lean 
est,  is  not  heated." 

"  Nor  is  it  of  feathers ;  one's  bones  may  ache 
from  its  touch  without  offence,  I  hope." 

"  The  iron  is  of  Elba — and  was  forged  in  a  vol 
cano.  This  Jacopo  is  one  that  should  not  go  at 
large  in  an  honest  city,  and  yet  is  he  seen  pacing 
the  square  with  as  much  ease  as  a  noble  in  the 
Broglio!" 

"  I  know  him  not." 

"  Not  to  know  the  boldest  hand  and  surest  stiletto 
in  Venice,  honest  Roderigo,  is  to  thy  praise.  But 
he  is  well  marked  among  us  of  the  port,  and  we 
never  see  the  man  but  we  begin  to  think  of  our  .sins, 
and  of  penances  forgotten.  I  marvel  much  that 
the  inquisitors  do  not  give  him  to  the  devil,  on  some 
public  ceremony,  for  the  benefit  of  small  offenders !" 

"  Are  his  deeds  so  notorious,  that  they  might  pro 
nounce  on  his  fate  without  proof?" 

"  Go,  ask  that  question  in  the  streets !  Not  a  Chris 
tian  loses  his  life  in  Venice  without  warning,  and 
the  number  is  not  few,  to  say  nothing  of  those  who 
die  with  state  fevers,  but  men  see  the  work  of  his 
sure  hand  in  the  blow.  Signor  Roderigo,  your  ca 
nals  are  convenient  graves  for  sudden  deaths ! " 

"  Methinks  there  is  contradiction  in  this.  Thou 
speakest  of  proofs  of  the  hand  that  gave  it,  in  the 
manner  of  the  blow,  and  then  thou  callest  in  the  aid 
of  the  canals  to  cover  the  whole  deed.  Truly,  there 


112  THE    BRAVO. 

is  some  wrong  done  this  Jacopo,  who  is,  haply,  a 
man  slandered." 

"  I  have  heard  of  slandering  a  priest,  for  they  are 
Christians,  bound  to  keep  good  names  for  the 
church's  honor,  but  to  utter  an  injury  against  a 
bravo,  would  a  little  exceed  the  tongue  of  an  av- 
vocato.  What  mattereth  it  whether  the  hand  be  a 
shade  deeper  in  color  or  not,  when  blood  is  on  it." 

"  Thou  sayest  truly,"  answered  the  pretended 
Roderigo,  drawing  a  heavy  breath.  It  mattereth 
little,  indeed,  to  him  condemned,  whether  the  sen 
tence  cometh  of  one,  or  of  many  crimes." 

"  Dost  know,  friend  Roderigo,  that  this  very  ar 
gument  hath  made  me  less  scrupulous  concerning 
the  freight  I  am  called  on  to  carry,  in  this  secret 
trade  of  ours.  Thou  art  fairly  in  the  senate's  busi 
ness,  worthy  Stefano,  I  say  to  myself,  and  there 
fore  the  less  reason  that  thou  should'st  be  particular 
in  the  quality  of  the  merchandise.  That  Jacopo 
hath  an  eye  and  a  scowl  that  would  betray  him, 
were  he  chosen  to  the  chair  of  St.  Peter !  But  doff 
thy  mask,  Signor  Roderigo,  that  the  sea-air  may 
cool  thy  cheek ;  'tis  time  there  should  no  longer  be 
this  suspicion  between  old  and  tried  friends." 

"  My  duty  to  those  that  send  me  forbid  the  liberty, 
else  would  I  gladly  stand  face  to  face  with  thee, 
Master  Stefano." 

"  Well,  notwithstanding  thy  caution,  cunning  Sig- 
nore,  I  would  hazard  ten  of  the  sequins  thou  art  to 
pay  to  me,  that  I  will  go,  on  the  morrow,  into  the 
crowd  of  San  Marco,  and  challenge  thee,  openly, 
by  name,  among  a  thousand.  Thou  mayest  as  well 
unmask,  for  I  tell  thee  thou  art  as  we1!  known  to  me 
as  the  latine  yards  of  my  felucca." 

"  The  less  need  to  uncover.  There  are  certain 
signs,  no  doubt,  by  which  men  who  meet  so  often 
should  be  known  to  each  other." 

"  Thou  hast  a  goodly  countenance,  Signore,  a  no 


THE  BRAVO.  113 

ihe  less  need  to  hide  it.  I  have  noted  thee  among 
the  revellers,  when  thou  hast  thought  thyself  unseen, 
and  I  will  say  of  thee  this  much,  without  wish  to 
gain  aught  in  our  bargain,  one  of  appearance  fail 
as  thine,  Signor  Roderigo,  had  better  be  seen  open 
ly  than  go  thus  for  ever  behind  a  cloud." 

"  My  answer  hath  been  made.  What  the  state 
wills  cannot  be  overlooked;  but  since  I  see  thou 
knowest  me,  take  heed  not  to  betray  thy  know 
ledge." 

"  Thou  would'st  not  be  more  safe  with  thy  con 
fessor.  Diamine !  I  am  not  a  man  to  gad  about 
among  the  water-sellers,  with  a  secret  at  the  top  of 
my  voice ;  but  thou  didst  leer  aside  when  I  winked 
at  thee  dancing  among  the  masquers  on  the  quay 
Is  it  not  so,  Roderigo?" 

"  There  is  more  cleverness  in  thee,  Master  Stefa- 
no,  than  I  had  thought ;  though  thy  readiness  with 
the  felucca  is  no  secret." 

"  There  are  two  things,  Signor  Roderigo,  on 
which  I  value  myaelf,  but  always,  I  hope,  with  Chris 
tian  moderation  As  a  mariner  of  the  coast,  in 
mistral  or  sirocco,  levanter  or  zephyr,  few  can 
claim  more  practice ;  and  for  knowing  an  acquaint 
ance  in  a  carnival,  I  believe  the  father  of  evil  him 
self  could  not  he  so  disguised  that  eye  of  mine 
should  not  see  hi*  foot !  For  anticipating  a  gale,  or 
looking  behind  a  m*sk,  Signor  Roderigo,  I  know  not 
my  own  equal  amonp;  men  of  small  learning." 

"  These  faculties  are  great  gifts  in  one  who  liveth 
by  the  sea  and  a  critical  trade." 

"  Here  came  one  Gino,  a  gondolier  of  Don  Camil- 
lo  Monforte,  and  an  ancient  fellow  of  mine,  aboard 
the  felucca,  attended  by  a  w<*man  in  mask.  He 
threw  off  the  girl  dexterously  enough,  and,  as  he 
thought,  among  strangers;  but  i  knew  her  at  a 
glance  for  the  daughter  of  a  wine-se^er,  who  had 
already  tasted  lachrymae  christi  of  m^e.  The 
K2 


114  THE   BRAVO. 

woman  was  angered  at  the  trick,  but  making  the 
best  of  luck,  we  drove  a  bargain  for  the  few  casks 
which  lay  beneath  the  ballast,  while  Gino  did  his 
master's  business  in  San  Marco." 

"  And  what  that  business  was  thou  didst  not  learn, 
good  Stefano?" 

"  How  should  I,  Master  Roderigo,  when  the  gon 
dolier  scarce  left  time  for  greeting;  but  Armi- 
na " 

"Annina!" 

"  The  same.  Thou  knowest  Annina,  old  Tom- 
maso's  daughter ;  for  she  danced  in  the  very  set  in 
which  I  detected  thy  countenance!  I  would  not 
speak  thus  of  the  girl,  but  that  I  know  thou  art  not 
backward  to  receive  liquors  that  do  not  visit  the 
custom-house,  thyself." 

"  For  that,  fear  nothing.  I  have  sworn  to  thee 
that  no  secret  of  this  nature  shall  pass  my  lips. 
But  this  Annina  is  a  girl  of  quick  wit  and  much 
boldness." 

"  Between  ourselves,  Signor  Roderigo,  it  is  not 
easy  to  tell  who  is  in  the  senate's  pay,  here  in  Venice, 
or  who  is  not.  I  have  sometimes  fancied,  by  thy 
manner  of  starting,  and  the  tones  of  thy  voice,  that 
thou  wert,  thyself,  no  less  than  the  lieutenant-general 
of  the  galleys,  a  little  disguised." 

"  And  this  with  thy  knowledge  of  men !" 

"  If  faith  were  always  equal,  where  would  be  its 
merit  ?  Thou  hast  never  been  hotly  chased  by  an 
infidel,  Master  Roderigo,  or  thou  would'st  know 
how  the  mind  of  man  can  change  from  hope  to  fear, 
from  the  big  voice  to  the  humble  prayer !  I  remem 
ber  once,  in  the  confusion  and  hurry  of  baffling 
winds  and  whistling  shot,  having  always  turbans 
before  the  eye,  and  the  bastinado  in  mind,  to  have 
beseeched  St.  Stefano  in  some  such  voice  as  one 
would  use  to  a  dog,  and  to  have  bullied  the  meis 
with  the  whine  of  a  young  kitten.  Corpo  di  Bacco 


THE   BRAVO.  115 

One  hath  need  of  experience  in  these  affairs,  Signer 
Roderigo,  to  know  even  his  own  merits." 

"  I  believe  thee.  But  who  is  this  Gino,  of  whom 
thou  hast  spoken,  and  what  has  his  occupation,  as 
a  gondolier,  to  do  with  one  known  in  thy  youth  in 
Calabria?" 

"  Therein  lie  matters  exceeding  my  knowledge. 
His  master,  and  I  may  say,  my  master,  for  I  was 
born  on  his  estates,  is  the  young  Duca  di  Sant' 
Agata, — the  same  that  pushes  his  fortunes  with  the 
senate,  in  a  claim  to  the  riches  and  honors  of  the 
last  Monforte  that  sat  in  thy  councils.  The  debate 
hath  so  long  endured,  that  the  lad  hath  made  him 
self  a  gondolier,  by  sheer  shoving  an  oar  between 
his  master's  palace  and  those  of  the  nobles  he  moves 
with  interest — at  least  such  is  Gino's  own  history 
of  his  education." 

"  I  know  the  man.  He  wears  the  colors  of  him 
he  serves.  Is  he  of  quick  wit?" 

"  Signor  Roderigo,  all  who  come  of  Calabria  can 
not  boast  that  advantage.  We  are  no  more  than 
our  neighbors,  and  there  are  exceptions  in  all  com 
munities,  as  in  all  families.  Gino  is  ready  enough 
with  his  oar,  and  as  good  a  youth,  in  his  way,  as 
need  be.  But  as  to  looking  into  things  beyond  their 
surface,  why  we  should  not  expect  the  delicacy  of 
a  becca  fica  in  a  goose.  Nature  makes  men,  though 
kings  make  nobles. — Gino  is  a  gondolier." 

"And  of  good  skill?" 

"  I  say  nothing  of  his  arm,  or  his  leg,  both  of 
which  are  well  enough  in  their  places ;  but  when  it 
comes  to  knowing  men  and  things — poor  Gino  is 
but  a  gondolier!  The  lad  hath  a  most  excellent 
heart,  and  is  never  backward  to  serve  a  friend.  1 
love  nim,  but  thou  would'st  not  have  me  say  more 
than  the  truth  will  warrant." 

"  Well,  keep  thy  felucca  in  readiness,  for  we  know 
not  the  moment,  it  may  be  needed." 


116  THE  BRAVO. 

"  Thou  hast  only  to  bring  thy  freight,  Signore,  to 
have  the  bargain  fulfilled." 

"  Adieu. — I  would  recommend  to  thee,  to  keep 
apart  from  all  other  trades,  and  to  see  that  the  rev 
elries  of  to-morrow  do  not  debauch  thy  people." 

"  God  speed  thee,  Signor  Roderigo. — Naught 
shall  be  wanting." 

The  Bravo  stepped  into  his  gondola,  which  glided 
from  the  felucca's  side  with  a  facility  which  showed, 
that  an  arm,  skilled  in  its  use,  held  the  oar.  He 
waved  his  hand,  in  adieu  to  Stefano,  and  then  the 
boat  disappeared  among  the  hulls  that  crowded  the 
port. 

For  a  few  minutes  the  padrone  of  the  Bella  Sor- 
rentina  continued  to  pace  her  decks,  snuffing  the 
fresh  breeze  that  came  in  over  the  Lido,  and  then 
he  sought  his  rest.  By  this  time,  the  dark,  silent 
gondolas,  which  had  been  floating,  by  hundreds, 
through  the  basin,  were  all  gone.  The  sound  of 
music  was  heard  no  longer  on  the  canals,  and  Ven 
ice,  at  all  times  noiseless,  and  peculiar,  seemed  to 
sleep  the  sleep  of  the  dead. 


CHAPTER  VIIJ. 

The  fisher  came 

From  his  green  islet,  bringing  o'er  the  waves 
His  wife  and  little  one  ;  the  husbandman 
From  the  firm  land,  with  many  a  friar  and  nun, 
And  viljage  maiden,  her  first  flight  from  home, 
Crowding  the  common  ferry. 

ROGERS. 

A  BRIGHTER  day  than  that  which  succeeded  the 
night  last  mentioned,  never  dawned  upon  the  massive 
domes,  the  gorgeous  palaces,  and  the  glittering  ca 
nals  of  Venice.  The  sun  had  not  been  long  above 


THE  BRAVO.  117 

Jie  level  of  the  Lido,  before  the  strains  of  horns  and 
trumpets  arose  from  the  square  of  St.  Mark. .  They 
were  answered,  in  full  echoes,  from  the  distant  ar 
senal.  A  thousand  gondolas  glided  from  the  canals, 
stealing  in  every  direction  across  the  port,  the  Gui- 
decca,  and  the  various  outer  channels  of  the  place 
while  the  well-known  routes,  from  Fusina  and  the 
neighboring  isles,  were  dotted  with  endless  lines  of 
boats,  urging  their  way  towards  the  capital. 

The  citizens  began  to  assemble  early,  in  their 
holiday  attire,  while  thousands  of  contadini  landed 
at  the  different  bridges,  clad  in  the  gay  costumes  of 
the  main.  Before  the  day  had  far  advanced,  all  the 
avenues  of  the  great  square  were  again  thronged, 
and  by  the  time  the  bells  of  the  venerable  cathedral 
had  finished  a  peal  of  high  rejoicing,  St.  Mark's 
again  teemed  with  its  gay  multitude.  Few  appear 
ed  in  masks,  but  pleasure  seemed  to  lighten  every 
eye,  while  the  frank  and  unconcealed  countenance 
willingly  courted  the  observation  and  sympathy  of 
its  neighbors.  In  short,  Venice  and  her  people  were 
seen,  in  all  the  gaiety  and  carelessness  of  a  favorite 
Italian  festa.  The  banners  of  the  conquered  nations 
flapped  heavily  on  the  triumphal  masts,  each  church- 
tower  hung  out  its  image  of  the  winged  lion,  and 
every  palace  was  rich  in  its  hangings  of  tapestry 
and  silk,  floating  from  balcony  and  window. 

In  the  midst  of  this  exhilarating  and  bright  spec 
tacle  was  heard  the  din  of  a  hundred  thousand 
voices.  Above  the  constant  hum,  there  arose,  from 
time  to  time,  the  blasts  of  trumpets  and  the  sympho 
nies  of  rich  music.  Here  the  improvisatore,  secretly 
employed  by  a  politic  and  mysterious  government, 
recounted,  with  a  rapid  utterance,  and  in  language 
suited  to  the  popular  ear,  at  the  foot  of  the  spars 
which  upheld  the  conquered  banner's  of  Candia, 
Crete,  and  the  Morea,  the  ancient  triumphs  of  the 
republic ;  while,  there,  a  ballad-singer  chaunted,  to 


118  THE   BRAVO. 

the  greedy  crowd,  the  glory  and  justice  i>f  San 
Marco.  Shouts  of  approbation  succeeded  each 
happy  allusion  to  the  national  renown,  and  bravos, 
loud  and  oft-repeated,  were  the  reward  of  the  agents 
of  the  police,  whenever  they  most  administered  to 
the  self-delusion  and  vanity  of  their  audience. 

In  the  mean  time,  gondolas  rich  in  carvings  and 
gildings,  and  containing  females  renowned  for  grace 
and  beauty,  began  to  cluster,  in  hundreds,  around 
the  port.  A  general  movement  had  already  taken 
place  among  the  shipping,  and  a  wide  and  clear 
channel  was  opened  from  the  quay,  at  the  foot  of 
the  Piazzetta,  to  the  distant  bank,  which  shut  out  the 
waves  of  the  Adriatic.  Near  this  watery  path, 
boats  of  all  sizes  and  descriptions,  filled  with  the 
curious  and  observant,  were  fast  collecting. 

The  crowd  thickened  as  the  day  drew  in,  all  the 
vast  plains  of  the  Padovano  appearing  to  have  given 
up  their  people  to  swell  the  numbers  of  those  that 
rejoiced.  A  few  timid  and  irresolute  masquers  now 
began  to  appear  in  the  throng,  stealing  a  momentary 
pleasure  under  the  favor  of  that  privileged  disguise, 
from  out  of  the  seclusion  and  monotony  of  their 
cloisters.  Next  came  the  rich  marine  equipages  of 
the  accredited  agents  of  foreign  states,  and  then, 
amid  the  sound  of  clarions  and  the  cries  of  the  pop 
ulace,  the  Bucentaur  rowed  out  of  the  channel  of 
the  arsenal,  and  came  sweeping  to  her  station,  at 
the  quay  of  St.  Mark. 

These  preliminaries,  which  occupied  some  hours., 
being  observed,  the  javelin-men,  and  others  employ 
ed  about  the  person  of  the  head  of  the  republic,  were 
seen  opening  an  avenue  through  the  throng.  After 
which,  the  rich  strains  of  a  hundred  instruments,, 
proclaimed  the  approach  of  the  doge. 

We  shall  not  detain  the  narrative,  to  describe  the 
pomp  in  which  a  luxurious  and  affluent  aristocracy, 
that  in  general  held  itself  aloof  from  familiar  inter- 


THE   BRAVO  119 

course  with  those  it  ruled,  displayed  its  magnificence 
to  the  eyes  of  the  multitude,  on  an  occasion  of  pop-' 
ular  rejoicing.  Long  lines  of  senators,  dressed  IF 
their  robes  of  office,  and  attended  by  crowds  of 
liveried  followers,  came  from  under  the  galleries  of 
the  palace,  and  descended  by  the  Giant's  Stairway 
into  the  sombre  court.  Thence,  the  whole  issued 
into  the  Piazzetta.  in  order,  and  proceeded  to  their 
several  stations,  on  the  canopied  deck  of  the  well- 
known  bark.  Each  patrician  had  his  allotted  place, 
and  before  the  rear  of  the  cortege  had  yet  quitted 
the  quay,  there  was  a  long  and  imposing  row  of 
grave  legislators  seated  in  the  established  order  of 
their  precedency.  The  ambassadors,  the  high  dig 
nitaries  of  the  state,  and  the  aged  man,  who  had 
been  chosen  to  bear  the  empty  honors  of  sovereign 
ty,  still  remained  on  the  land,  waiting,  with  the  quiet 
of  trained  docility,  the  moment  to  embark.  At  this 
moment,  a  man  of  an  embrowned  visage,  legs  bare 
to  the  knee,  and  breast  open  to  the  breeze,  rushed 
through  the  guards,  and  knelt  on  the  stones  of  the 
quay,  at  his  feet. 

"Justice! — great  prince!"  cried  the  bold  stran 
ger;  "justice  and  mercy!  Listen  to  one,  who  has 
bled  for  St.  Mark,  and  who  hath  his  scars  for  his 
witnesses." 

"  Justice  and  mercy  are  not  always  companions," 
calmly  observed  he,  who  wore  the  horned  bonnet, 
motioning  to  his  officious  attendants  to  let  the  intru 
der  stay. 

"  Mighty  prince  !  I  come  for  the  last." 

"  Who  and  what  art  thou?" 

"  A  fisherman  of  the  Lagunes.     One  named  An 
tonio,  who  seeketh  the  liberty  of  the  prop  of  hi 
years — a  glorious  boy,  that  force  and  the  policy  cf 
the  state  have  torn  from  me." 

"  This  should  not  be !    Violence  is  not  tne  attri- 


120  THE  BRAVO. 

bute  of  justice — but  the  youth  hath  offended  thtf 
laws,  and  he  suffereth  for  his  crimes?" 

"  He  is  guilty,  Excellent  and  most  Serene  High 
ness,  of  youth,  and  health,  and  strength,  with  some 
skill  in  the  craft  of  the  mariner.  They  have  taken 
him,  without  warning  or  consent,  for  the  service  of 
the  galleys,  and  have  left  me  in  my  age,  alone." 

The  expression  of  pity,  which  had  taken  posses 
sion  of  the  venerable  features  of  the  prince,  changed 
instantly  to  a  look  of  uneasiness  and  distrust.  The 
eye,  which  just  before  had  melted  with  compassion 
became  cold  and  set  in  its  meaning,  and  signing  to 
his  guards,  he  bowed  with  dignity  to  the  attentive 
and  curious  auditors,  among  the  foreign  agents,  to 
proceed. 

"  Bear  him  away,"  said  an  officer,  who  took  his 
master's  meaning  from  the  glance;  "the  ceremonies 
may  not  be  retarded,  for  a  prayer  so  idle." 

Antonio  offered  no  resistance,  but  yielding  to  the 
pressure  of  those  around  him,  he  sunk  back  meekly, 
among  the  crowd,  disappointment  and  sorrow  giv 
ing  place,  for  an  instant,  to  an  awe  and  an  admira 
tion  of  the  gorgeous  spectacle,  that  were  perhaps  in 
some  degree  inseparable  from  his  condition  and 
habits.  In  a  few  moments,  the  slight  interruption 
produced  by  this  short  scene,  was  forgotten  in  the 
higher  interest  of  the  occasion. 

When  the  ducal  party  had  taken  their  places,  a^nd 
an  admiral  of  reputation  was  in  possession  of  the 
helm,  the  vast  and  gorgeous  bark,  with  its  gilded 
galleries  thronged  with  attendants,  swept  away  from 
the  quay,  with  a  grand  and  stately  movement.  Its 
departure  was  the  signal  for  a  new  burst  of  trum 
pets  and  clarions,  and  for  fresh  acclamations  from 
he  people.  The  latter  rushed  to  the  edge  of  the 
water,  and  by  the  time  the  Bucentaur  had  reached 
the  middle  of  the  port,  the  stream  was  black  with 
the  gondolas  that  followed  in  her  train.  In  this 


THE   BRAVO.  121 

manner  did  the  gay  and  shouting  cortege  sweep  on, 
some  darting  ahead  of  the  principal  bark,  and  some 
clinging,  like  smaller  fish  swimming  around  the  levi 
athan,  as  near  to  her  sides,  as  the  fall  of  the  pon 
derous  oars  would  allow.  As  each  effort  of  the  crew 
sent  the  galley  farther  from  the  land,  the  living  train 
seemed  to  extend  itself,  by  some  secret  principle  of 
expansion ;  nor  was  the  chain  of  its  apparent  con 
nexion  entirely  broken,  until  the  Bucentaur  had 
passed  the  island,  long  famous  for  its  convent  of  re 
ligious  Armenians.  Here  the  movement  became 
slower,  in  order  to  permit  the  thousand  gondolas 
to  approach,  and  then,  the  whole  moved  forward, 
in  nearly  one  solid  phalanx,  to  the  landing  of  the 
Lido. 

The  marriage  of  the  Adriatic,  as  the  ceremony 
was  quaintly  termed,  has  been  too  often  described 
to  need  a  repetition  here.  Our  business  is  rather 
with  incidents  of  a  private  and  personal  nature  than 
with  descriptions  of  public  events,  and  we  shall  pass 
over  all  that  has  no  immediate  connexion  with  the 
interest  of  the  tale. 

When  the  Bucentaur  became  stationary,  a  space 
around  her  stern  was  cleared,  and  the  doge  appear 
ed  in  a  rich  gallery,  so  constructed  as  to  exhibit  the 
action  to  all  in  sight.  He  held  a  ring,  glittering 
with  precious  stones,  on  high,  and,  pronouncing  the 
words  of  betrothal,  he  dropped  it  upon  the  bosom 
of  his  fancied  spouse.  Shouts  arose,  trumpets  blew 
their  blasts,  and  each  lady  waved  her  handkerchief, 
in  felicitation  of  the  happy  union.  In  the  midst  of 
the  fracas — which  was  greatly  heightened  by  the 
roar  of  cannon  on  board  the  cruisers  in  the  channel, 
and  from  the  guns  in  the  arsenal — a  boat  glided  into 
the  open  space  beneath  the  gallery  of  the  Bucentaur. 
The  movement  of  the  arm  which  directed  the  light 
gondola  was  dexterous  and  still  strong,  though  the 
hairs  of  him  who  held  the  oar  were  thin  and  white 
L 


122  THE    BRAVO. 

A  suppliant  eye  was  cast  up  at  the  happy  faces  that 
adorned  the  state  of  the  prince,  and  then  the  look 
was  changed  intently  to  the  water.  A  small  fisher 
man's  buoy  fell  from  the  boat,  which  glided  away 
so  soon,  that,  amid  the  animation  and  uproar  of 
that  moment,  the  action  was  scarce  heeded  by  the 
excited  throng. 

The  aquatic  procession  now  returned  towaids 
the  city,  the  multitude  rending  the  air  with  shouts 
at  the  happy  termination  of  a  ceremony,  to  which 
time  and  the  sanction  of  the  sovereign  pontiff  had 
given  a  species  of  sanctity  that  wras  somewhat  in 
creased  by  superstition.  It  is  true  that  a  few  among 
the  Venetians  themselves  regarded  these  famous 
nuptials  of  the  Adriatic  with  indifference ;  and  that 
several  of  the  ministers  of  the  northern  and  more 
maritime  states,  who  were  witnesses  on  the  occa 
sion,  had  scarcely  concealed,  as  they  cast  glances 
of  intelligence  and  pride  among  themselves,  their 
smiles.  Still,  such  was  the  influence  of  habit,  for  so 
much  does  even  arrogant  assumption,  when  long 
and  perseveringly  maintained,  count  among  men 
that  neither  the  increasing  feebleness  of  the  republic, 
nor  the  known  superiority  of  other  powers  on  the 
very  element  which  this  pageant  was  intended  to 
represent  as  the  peculiar  property  of  St.  Mark,  could 
yet  cover  the  lofty  pretension  with  the  ridicule  it 
merited.  Time  has  since  taught  the  world  thai 
Venice  continued  this  idle  deception  for  ages  after 
both  reason  and  modesty  should  have  dictated  its 
discontinuance;  but,  at  the  period  of  which  we 
write,  that  ambitious,  crapulous,  and  factitious  state 
was  rather  beginning  to  feel  the  symptomatic  evi 
dence  of  its  fading  circumstances,  than  to  be  fully 
conscious  of  the  swift  progress  of  a  downward 
course.  In  this  manner  do  communities,  like  indi 
viduals,  draw  near  their  dissolution,  nattentive  to 
the  symptoms  of  decay,  until  they  lire  overtaken 


THE  BRAVO.  123 

with  that  fate,  which  finally  overwhelms  empires 
and  their  power  in  the  common  lot  of  man 

The  Bucentaur  did  not  return  directly  to  the 
quay,  to  disburthen  itself  of  its  grave  and  dignified 
load.  The  gaudy  galley  anchored  in  the  centre  of 
the  port,  and  opposite  to  the  wide  mouth  of  the 
great  canal.  Officers  had  been  busy,  throughout 
the  morning,  in  causing  all  the  shipping  and  heavy 
boats,  of  which  hundreds  lay  in  that  principal  artery 
of  the  city,  to  remove  from  the  centre  of  the  pass 
age,  and  heralds  now  summoned  the  citizens  to  wit 
ness  the  regatta,  with  which  the  public  ceremonies 
of  the  day  were  to  terminate. 

Venice,  from  her  peculiar  formation  and  the  vast 
number  of  her  watermen,  had  long  been  celebrated 
for  this  species  of  amusement.  Families  were 
known  and  celebrated  in  her  traditions  for  dexter 
ous  skill  with  the  oar,  as  they  were  known  in  Rome 
for  feats  of  a  far  less  useful  and  of  a  more  barbar 
ous  nature.  It  was  usual  to  select  from  these  races 
of  watermen  the  most  vigorous  and  skilful ;  and 
after  invoking  the  aid  of  patron-saints,  and  arousing 
their  pride  and  recollections  by  songs  that  recounted 
the  feats  of  their  ancestors,  to  start  them  for  the 
goal,  with  every  incitement  that  pride  and  the  love 
of  victory  could  awaken. 

Most  of  these  ancient  usages  were  still  observed. 
As  soon  as  the  Bucentaur  was  in  its  station,  some 
thirty  or  forty  gondoliers  were  brought  forth,  clad 
in  their  gayest  habiliments,  and  surrounded  and  sup 
ported  by  crowds  of  anxious  friends  and  relatives. 
The  intended  competitors  were  expected  to  sustain 
the  long-established  reputations  of  their  several 
names,  and  they  were  admonished  of  the  disgrace 
of  defeat.  They  were  cheered  by  the  men,  and 
stimulated  by  the  smiles  and  tears  of  the  other  sex. 
The  rewards  were  recalled  to  their  minds ;  they 
were  fortified  by  prayers  to  the  saints ;  and  then 


124  THE    BRAVO. 

they  were  dismissed,  amid  the  cries  and  the  wishes 
of  the  multitude,  to  seek  their  allotted  places  beneath 
the  stern  of  the  galley  of  state. 

It  has  already  been  mentioned  in  these  pages,  that 
the  city  of  Venice  is  divided  into  two  nearly  equal 
oarts  by  a  channel  much  broader  than  that  of  the 
ordinary  passages  of  the  town.  This  dividing 
artery,  from  its  superior  size  and  depth,  and  its 
greater  importance,  is  called  the  grand  canal.  Its 
course  is  not  unlike  that  of  an  undulating  line,  which 
greatly  increases  its  length.  As  it  is  much  used  by 
the  larger  boats  of  the  bay — being,  in  fact,  a  sort 
of  secondary  port — and  its  width  is  so  considerable, 
it  has  throughout  the  whole  distance  but  one  bridge 
— the  celebrated  Rialto.  The  regatta  was  to  be 
held  on  this  canal,  wrhich  offered  the  requisites  of 
length  and  space,  and  which,  as  it  was  lined  with 
most  of  the  palaces  of  the  principal  senators,  afford 
ed  all  the  facilities  necessary  for  viewing  the  strug* 
gle. 

In  passing  from  one  end  of  this  long  course  to  the 
other,  the  men  destined  for  the  race  were  not  per 
mitted  to  make  any  exertion.  Their  eyes  roamed 
over  the  gorgeous  hangings,  which,  as  is  still  wont 
throughout  Italy  on  all  days  of  festa,  floated  from 
every  window,  and  on  groups  of  females  in  rich  at 
tire,  brilliant  with  the  peculiar  charms  of  the  famed 
Venetian  beauty,  that  clustered  in  the  balconies. 
Those  who  were  domestics,  rose  and  answered  to 
the  encouraging  signals  thrown  from  above,  as  they 
passed  the  palaces  of  their  masters ;  while  those 
who  were  wratermen  of  the  public,  endeavored  to 
gather  hope  among  the  sympathizing  faces  of  the 
muJtitude. 

At  length  every  formality  had  been  duly  observed, 
and  the  competitors  assumed  their  places.  The 
gondolas  were  much  larger  than  those  commonly 
ased,  and  each  was  manned  by  three  watermen,  in 


THE   BRAVO.  1<£5 

ihe  centre,  directed  by  a  fourth,  who,  standing  on 
the  little  deck  in  the  stern,  steered,  while  he  aided  to 
impel  the  boat.  There  were  light,  low  staffs  in  the 
bows,  with  flags,  that  bore  the  distinguishing  colors 
of  several  noble  families  of  the  republic,  or  which 
had  such  other  simple  devices  as  had  been  suggest 
ed  by  the  fancies  of  those  to  whom  they  belonged. 
A  few  flourishes  of  the  oars,  resembling  the  prepar 
atory  movements  which  the  master  of  fence  makes 
ere  he  begins  to  push  and  parry,  were  given ;  a 
whirling  of  the  boats,  like  the  prancing  of  curbed 
racers,  succeeded ;  and  then  at  the  report  of  a  gun, 
the  whole  darted  away  as  if  the  gondolas  were  im 
pelled  by  volition.  The  start  was  followed  by  a 
shout,  which  passed  swiftly  along  the  canal,  and  an 
eager  agitation  of  heads  that  went  from  balcony  to 
balcony,  till  the  sympathetic  movement  was  commu 
nicated  to  the  grave  load  under  which  the  Bucen- 
taur  labored. 

For  a  few  minutes  the  difference  in  force  and 
skill  was  not  very  obvious.  Each  gondola  glided 
along  the  element,  apparently  with  that  ease  with 
which  a  light-winged  swallow  skims  the  lake,  and 
with  no  visible  advantage  to  any  one  of  the  ten. 
Then,  as  more  art  in  him  who  steered,  or  greater 
powers  of  endurance  in  those  who  rowed,  or  some 
of  the  latent  properties  of  the  boat  itself,  came  into 
service,  the  cluster  of  little  barks,  which  had  come 
off  like  a  closely-united  flock  of  birds  taking  flight 
together  in  alarm,  began  to  open,  till  they  formed  a 
long  and  vacillating  line,  in  the  centre  of  the  pas 
sage.  The  whole  train  shot  beneath  the  bridge,  so 
near  each  other  as  to  render  it  still  doubtful  which 
was  to  conquer,  and  the  exciting  strife  came  more 
in  view  of  the  principal  personages  of  the  city. 

But   here  those   radical   qualities,   which  insure 
success  in  efforts  of  this  nature,  manifested  them 
selves.     The  weaker  began  to  yield,  the  train  to 
L2 


126  THE    BRAVO- 

lengthen,  and  hopes  and  fears  to  increase,  until 
those  in  the  front  presented  the  exhilarating  specta 
cle  of  success,  while  those  behind  offered  the  still 
more  noble  sight  of  men  struggling  without  hope. 
Gradually  the  distances  between  the  boats  increased, 
while  that  between  them  and  the  goal  grew  rapidly 
less,  until  three  of  those  in  advance  came  in,  like 
glancing  arrows,  beneath  the  stern  of  the  Bucen- 
taur,  with  scarce  a  length  between  them.  The 
prize  was  won,  the  conquerors  were  rewarded,  and 
the  artillery  gave  forth  the  usual  signals  of  rejoicing. 
Music  answered  to  the  roar  of  cannon  and  the  peals 
of  bells,  while  sympathy  with  success,  that  predom 
inant  and  so  often  dangerous  principle  of  our  nature, 
drew  shouts  even  from  the  disappointed. 

The  clamor  ceased,  and  a  herald  proclaimed 
aloud  the  commencement  of  a  new  and  a  different 
struggle.  The  last,  and  what  might  be  termed  the 
national  race,  had  been  limited,  by  an  ancient 
usage,  to  the  known  and  recognized  gondoliers  of 
Venice.  The  prize  had  been  awarded  by  the  state, 
and  the  whole  affair  had  somewhat  of  an  official 
and  political  character.  It  was  now  announced, 
however,  that  a  race  was  to  be  run,  in  which  the 
reward  was  open  to  all  competitors,  without  ques 
tion  as  to  their  origin,  or  as  to  their  ordinary  occu 
pations.  An  oar  of  gold,  to  which  was  attached  a 
chain  of  the  same  precious  metal,  was  exhibited  as 
the  boon  of  the  doge  to  him  who  showed  most  dex 
terity  and  strength  in  this  new  struggle ;  while  a 
similar  ornament  of  silver  was  to  be  the  portion  of 
him,  who  showed  the  second-best  dexterity  ana  oot- 
tom.  A  mimic  boat,  of  less  precious  metal,  was 
the  third  prize.  The  gondolas  were  to  be  the  usual 
light  vehicles  of  the  canals,  and  as  the  object  was 
to  display  the  peculiar  skill  of  that  city  of  islands; 
but  one  oarsman  was  allowed  to  each,  on  whom 
would  necessarily  fall  the  whole  duty  of  guiding; 


THE   BRAVO.  127 

while  he  impelled  his  little  bark.  Any  of  those  who 
had  been  engaged  in  the  previous  trial  were  admit 
ted  to  this ;  and  all  desirous  of  taking  part  in  the 
new  struggle  were  commanded  to  come  beneath  the 
stern  of  the  Bucentaur,  within  a  prescribed  number 
of  minutes,  that  note  might  be  had  of  their  wishes 
As  notice  of  this  arrangement  had  been  previously 
given,  the  interval  between  the  two  races  was  not 
long. 

The  first  who  came  out  of  the  crowd  of  boats, 
which  environed  the  vacant  place  that  had  been  left 
for  the  competitors,  was  a  gondolier  of  the  public 
landing,  wrell  known  for  his  skill  with  the  oar,  and 
his  song  on  the  canal. 

"  How  art  thou  called,  and  in  whose  name  dost 
thou  put  thy  chance?"  demanded  the  herald  of  this 
aquatic  course. 

"  All  know  me  for  Bartolomeo,  one  who  lives  be 
tween  the  Piazzetta  and  the  Lido,  and,  like  a  loyal 
Venetian,  I  trust  in  San  Teodoro." 

"  Thou  art  well  protected ;  take  thy  place,  and 
await  thy  fortune." 

The  conscious  waterman  swept  the  water  with  a 
back  stroke  of  his  blade,  and  the  light  gondoia 
whirled  away  into  the  centre  of  the  vacant  spot,  like 
a  swan  giving  a  sudden  glance  aside. 

"And  who  art  thou?"  demanded  the  official  of 
the  next  that  came. 

"  Enrico,  a  gondolier  of  Fusina.  I  come  to  try 
my  oar  with  the  braggarts  of  the  canals." 

"  In  whom  is  thy  trust?" 

"  Sant'  Antonio  di  Padua." 

"  Thou  wilt  need  his  aid,  though  we  commend 
thy  spirit.  Enter,  and  take  place." — "  And  who  art 
thou  ? "  he  continued,  to  another,  when  the  second 
had  imitated  the  easy  skill  of  the  first. 

"I  am  called  Gino  of  Calabria,  a  gondolier  in 
private  service." 


128  THE    BRAVO. 

"  What  noble  retaineth  thee?" 

"  The  illustrious  and  most  excellent  Don  Carnillo 
Monforte,  Duca  and  Lord  of  Sant'  Agata  in  Napoli, 
and  of  right  a  senator  in  Venice." 

"  Thou  should'st  have  come  of  Padua,  friend,  by 
thy  knowledge  of  the  laws !  Dost  thou  trust  in  him 
thou  servest  for  the  victory?" 

There  was  a  movement  among  the  senators  at 
the  answer  of  Gino ;  and  the  half-terrified  varlet 
thought  he  perceived  frowns  gathering  on  more 
than  one  brow.  He  looked  around  in  quest  of  him 
whose  greatness  he  had  vaunted,  as  if  he  sought 
succor. 

"Wilt  thou  name  thy  support  in  this  great  triaj 
of  force  ?"  resumed  the  herald. 

"My  master,"  uttered  the  terrified  Gino,  "  St 
Januarius,  and  St.  Mark." 

"  Thou  art  well  defended.  Should  the  two  latter 
fail  thee,  thou  mayest  surely  count  on  the  first !" 

"  Signor  Monforte  has  an  illustrious  name,  and 
he  is  welcome  to  our  Venetian  sports,"  observed  the 
doge,  slightly  bending  his  head  towards  the  young 
Calabrian  noble,  who  stood  at  no  great  distance,  in 
a  gondola  of  state,  regarding  the  scene  with  a  deep 
ly-interested  countenance.  This  cautious  interrup 
tion  of  the  pleasantries  of  the  official  was  acknow 
ledged  by  a  low  reverence,  and  the  matter  pro 
ceeded. 

"  Take  thy  station,  Gino  of  Calabria,  and  a  happy 
fortune  be  thine,"  said  the  latter ;  then  turning  to 
another,  he  asked  in  surprise — "Why  art  thou 
here?" 

"  I  come  to  try  my  gondola's  swiftness." 

"  Thou  art  old,  and  unequal  to  this  struggle ;  hus 
band  thy  strength  for  daily  toil.  An  ill-advised  am 
bition  hath  put  thee  on  this  useless  trial." 

The  new  aspirant  had  forced  a  common  fisher 
man's  gondola,  of  no  bad  shape,  and"  of  sufficient 


THE   BRAVO.  129 

lightness,  but  which  bore  about  it  all  the  vulgar 
signs  of  its  daily  uses,  beneath  the  gallery  of  the 
Bucentaur.  He  received  the  reproof  meekly,  and 
was  about  to  turn  his  boat  aside,  though  with  a  sor 
rowing  and  mortified  eye,  when  a  sign  from  the 
doge  arrested  his  arm. 

"  Question  him,  as  of  wont,"  said  the  prince. 

"  How  art  thou  named  ?"  continued  the  reluctant 
official,  who,  like  all  of  subordinate  condition,  had 
far  more  jealousy  of  the  dignity  of  the  sports  he  di 
rected,  than  his  superior. 

"  I  am  known  as  Antonio,  a  fisherman  of  the  La- 
gunes." 

"Thou  art  old!" 

"  Signore,  none  know  it  better  than  I.  It  is  sixty 
summers  since  I  first  threw  net,  or  line,  into  the 
water." 

"  Nor  art  thou  clad,  as  befitteth  one  who  cometh 
before  the  state  of  Venice,  in  a  regatta." 

"  I  am  here  in  the  best  that  I  have.  Let  them 
who  would  do  the  nobles  greater  honor,  come  in 
better." 

"  Thy  limbs  are  uncovered — thy  bosom  bare — thy 
sinews  feeble — go  to ;  thou  art  ill  advised  to  inter 
rupt  the  pleasures  of  the  nobles,  by  this  levity." 

Again  Antonio  would  have  shrunk  from  the  ten 
thousand  eyes  that  shone  upon  him,  when  the  calm 
voice  of  the  doge  once  more  came  to  his  aid. 

"  The  struggle  is  open  to  all,"  said  the  sovereign ; 
"  still  I  would  advise  the  poor  and  aged  man  to  take 
counsel ;  give  him  silver,  for  want  urges  him  to  this 
hopeless  trial." 

"  Thou  hearest ;  alms  are  offered  thee ;  but  giv 
place  to  those  who  are  stronger,  and  more  seemly 
for  the  sport." 

"  I  will  obey,  as  is  the  duty  of  one  born  and  ac 
customed  to  poverty.  They  said  the  race  was  open 


130  THE   BRAVO. 

to  all,  and  I  crave  the  pardon  of  the  nobles,  since  I 
meant  to  do  them  no  dishonor." 

"  Justice  in  the  palace,  and  justice  on  the  canals," 
hastily  observed  the  prince.  "  If  he  will  continue, 
it  is  his  right.  It  is  the  pride  of  St.  Mark  that  his 
balances  are  held  with  an  even  hand." 

A  murmur  of  applause  succeeded  the  specious 
sentiment,  for  the  powerful  rarely  affect  the  noble 
attribute  of  justice,  however  limited  may  be  its  ex 
ercise,  without  their  words  finding  an  echo  in  the 
tongues  of  the  selfish. 

"  Thou  hearest — His  Highness,  who  is  the  voice 
of  a  mighty  state,  says  thou  mayest  remain;— 
though  thou  art  still  advised  to  withdraw." 

"  I  will  then  see  what  virtue  is  left  in  this  naked 
arm,"  returned  Antonio,  casting  a  mournful  glance, 
and  one  that  was  not  entirely  free  from  the  latent 
vanity  of  man,  at  his  meagre  and  threadbare  attire. 
"  The  limb  hath  its  scars,  but  the  infidels  may  have 
spared  enough,  for  the  little  I  ask." 

"  In  whom  is  thy  faith?" 

"Blessed  St.  Anthony,  of  the  Miraculous 
Draught." 

"  Take  thy  place. — Ha  !  here  cometh  one  unwill 
ing  to  be  known  !  How  now !  who  appears  with  so 
false  a  face?" 

"  Call  me,  Mask." 

"  So  neat  and  just  a  leg  and  arm,  need  not  have 
hid  their  fellow,  the  countenance.  Is  it  Your  High- 
ness's  pleasure  that  one  disguised  should  be  entered 
for  the  sports?" 

"  Doubt  it  not.  A  mask  is  sacred  in  Venice.  It 
is  the  glory  of  our  excellent  and  wise  laws,  that  he 
who  seeketh  to  dwell  within  the  privacy  of  his  own 
thoughts,  and  to  keep  aloof  from  curiosity  by  shad 
owing  his  features,  rangeth  our  streets  and  canals, 
as  if  he  dwelt  in  the  security  of  his  own  abode. 
Such  are  the  high  privileges  of  liberty,  and  such  it 


THE   BRAVO.  131 

is  to  be  a  citizen  of  a  generous,  a  magnanimous, 
and  a  free  state!" 

A  thousand  bowed  in  approbation  of  the  senti 
ment,  and  a  rumor  passed,  from  mouth  to  mouth, 
that  a  young  noble  was  about  to  try  his  strength, 
in  the  regatta,  in  compliment  to  some  wayward 
beauty. 

"  Such  is  justice !"  exclaimed  the  herald,  in  a  loud 
voice,  admiration  apparently  overcoming  respect,  in 
the  ardor  of  the  moment.  "Happy  is  he  that  is 
born  in  Venice,  and  envied  are  the  people  in  whose 
councils,  wisdom  and  mercy  preside,  like  lovely  and 
benignant  sisters !  On  whom  dost  thou  rely?" 

"  Mine  own  arm." 

"  Ha !  This  is  impious !  None  so  presuming  may 
enter  into  these  privileged  sports." 

The  hurried  exclamation  of  the  herald  was  ac 
companied  by  a  general  stir,  such  as  denotes  sudden 
and  strong  emotion  in  a  multitude. 

"  The  children  of  the  republic  are  protected  by  an 
even  hand,"  observed  the  venerable  prince.  "It 
formeth  our  just  pride,  and  blessed  St.  Mark  forbid 
that  aught  resembling  vain-glory  should  be  uttered ! 
but  it  is  truly  our  boast  that  we  know  no  difference 
between  our  subjects  of  the  islands,  or  those  of  the 
Dalmatian  coast ;  between  Padua,  or  Candia ;  Corfu, 
or  St.  Giorgio.  Still  it  is  not  permitted  for  any  to 
refuse  the  intervention  of  the  saints." 

"  Name  thy  patron,  or  quit  the  place,"  continued 
the  observant  herald,  anew. 

The  stranger  paused,  as  if  he  looked  into  his 
mind,  and  then  he  answered — 

"  San  Giovanni  of  the  Wilderness." 

"  Thou  namest  one  of  blessed  memory!" 

"  I  name  him  who  may  have  pity  on  me,  in  this 
living  desert." 

"  The  temper  of  thy  soul  is  best  known  to  thyself, 
but  this  reverend  rank  of  patricians,  yonder  brilliant 


132  'HIE   BRAVO. 

show  of  beauty,  and  that  goodly  multitude,  may 
claim  another  name. — Take  thy  place." 

While  the  herald  proceeded  to  take  the  names  of 
three  or  four  more  applicants,  all  gondoliers  in  pri 
vate  service,  a  murmur  ran  through  the  spectators, 
which  proved  how  much  their  interest  and  curiosity 
had  been  awakened,  by  the  replies  and  appearance 
of  the  two  last  competitors.  In  the  mean  time,  the 
young  nobles  who  entertained  those  who  came  last, 
began  to  move  among  the  throng  of  boats,  with  the 
intention  of  making  such  manifestations  of  their 
gallant  desires,  and  personal  devotion,  as  suited  the 
customs  and  opinions  of  the  age.  The  list  was  now 
proclaimed  to  be  full,  and  the  gondolas  were  towed 
off,  as  before,  towards  the  starting  point,  leaving  the 
place,  beneath  the  stern  of  the  Bucentaur,  vacant. 
The  scene  that  followed,  consequently  passed  direct 
ly  before  the  eyes  of  those  grave  men,  who  charged 
themselves  with  most  of  the  private  interests,  as 
well  as  with  the  public  concerns  of  Venice. 

There  were  many  unmasked  and  high-born  dames, 
whirling  about  in  their  boats,  attended  by  cavaliers 
in  rich  attire,  and,  here  and  there,  appeared  a  paii 
of  dark  lustrous  eyes,  peeping  through  the  silk  of  a 
visor,  that  concealed  some  countenance  too  youthful 
for  exposure,  in  so  gay  a  scene.  One  gondola,  in 
particular,  was  remarked  for  the  singular  grace  and 
beauty  of  the  form  it  held,  qualities  which  made 
themselves  apparent,  even  through  the  half-disguise 
of  the  simple  habiliments  she  wore.  The  boat,  the 
servants,  and  the  ladies,  for  there  were  two,  were 
alike  distinguished  for  that  air  of  severe  but  finished 
simplicity,  which  ofteher  denotes  the  presence  of 
high  quality  and  true  taste,  than  a  more  lavish  ex 
penditure  of  vulgar  ornament.  A  Carmelite,  whose 
features  were  concealed  by  his  cowl,  testified  that 
their  condition  was  high,  and  lent  a  dignity  to  their 
presence,  by  his  reverend  and  grave  protection.  A 


THE  BRAVO.  133 

hundred  gondolas  approached  this  party,  and  after 
as  many  fruitless  efforts  to  penetrate  the  disguises, 
glided  away,  while  whispers  and  interrogatories 
passed  from  one  to  the  other,  to  learn  the  name  and 
station  of  the  youthful  beauty.  At  length,  a  gay 
bark,  with  watermen  in  gorgeous  liveries,  and  in 
whose  equipment  there  was  a  studied  display  of 
magnificence,  came  into  the  little  circle  that  curiosi 
ty  had  drawn  together.  The  single  cavalier,  who 
occupied  the  seat,  arose,  for  few  gondolas  appeared 
that  day  with  their  gloomy-looking  and  mysterious 
pavilions,  and  saluted  the  masked  females,  with  the 
ease  of  one  accustomed  to  all  presences,  but  with 
the  reserve  of  deep  respect. 

"  I  have  a  favorite  follower  in  this  race,"  he  said 
gallantly,  "  and  one  in  whose  skill  and  force  I  put 
great  trust.  Until  now.,  I  have  uselessly  sought  a 
lady  of  a  beauty  and  merit  so  rare,  as  to  warrant 
that  I  should  place  his  fortune  on  her  smiles.  But 
I  seek  no  farther." 

"  You  are  gifted  with  a  keen  sight,  Sign  ore,  that 
you  discover  all  you  seek  beneath  these  masks,"  re 
turned  one  of  the  two  females,  while  their  compan 
ion,  the  Carmelite,  bowed  graciously  to  the  compli 
ment,  which  seemed  little  more  than  was  warranted 
by  the  usage  of  such  scenes. 

"  There  are  other  means  of  recognition  than  the 
eyes,  and  other  sources  of  admiration  than  the 
senses,  lady.  Conceal  yourselves  as  you  will,  here  do 
I  know  that  I  am  near  the  fairest  face,  the  warmest 
heart,  and  the  purest  mind  of  Venice ! " 

"  This  is  bold  augury,  Signore,"  returned  she,  who 
was  evidently  the  oldest  of  the  two,  glancing  a  look 
at  her  companion,  as  if  to  note  the  effect  of  this 
gallant  speech.  "  Venice  has  a  name  for  the  beauty 
of  its  dames,  and  the  sun  of  Italy  warms  many  a 
generous  heart." 

"  Better  that  such  noble  sifts  should  be  directed 
M- 


134  THE   BRAVO. 

to  the  worship  of  the  Creator  than  of  the  creature/1 
murmured  the  monk. 

"  Some  there  are,  holy  father,  who  have  admira 
tion  for  both.     Such  1  would  fain  hope  is  the  happy 
lot  of  her  who  is  favored  with  the  spiritual  counse 
of  one  so  virtuous  and  wise  as  yourself.     Here 
place  my  fortune,  let  what  may  follow;  and  here 
would  I   gladly  place   a  heavier  stake,  were    it 
permitted." 

As  the  cavalier  spoke,  he  tendered  to  the  silent 
fair  a  bouquet  of  the  sweetest  and  most  fragrant 
flowers;  and  among  them  were  those  to  which 
poets  and  custom  have  ascribed  the  emblematic 
qualities  of  constancy  and  love.  She,  to  whom  this 
offering  of  gallantry  was  made,  hesitated  to  accept 
it.  It  much  exceeded  the  reserve  imposed  on  one 
of  her  station  and  years,  to  allow  of  such  homage 
from  the  other  sex,  though  the  occasion  was  gene 
rally  deemed  one  that  admitted  of  more  than  usua 
gallantry ;  and  she  evidently  shrunk,  with  the  sensi 
tiveness  of  one  whose  feelings  were  unpractised, 
from  an  homage  so  public. 

"  Receive  the  flowers,  my  love,"  mildly  whispered 
her  companion ;  "  the  cavalier  who  offers  them  sim 
ply  intends  to  show  the  quality  of  his  breeding." 

"  That  will  be  seen  in  the  end,"  hastily  returned 
Don  Camillo — for  it  was  he.  "  Signore,  adieu ;  we 
have  met  on  this  water  when  there  was  less  re 
straint  between  us." 

He  bowed,  and  signing  to  his  gondolier,  was 
quickly  lost  in  the  crowd  of  boats.  Ere  the  barks, 
however,  were  separated,  the  mask  of  the  silent 
fair  was  slightly  moved,  as  if  she  sought  relief  from 
-he  air ;  and  the  Neapolitan  was  rewarded  for  his 
gallantry,  by  a  momentary  glance  at  the  glowing 
countenance  of  Violetta. 

"  Thy  guardian  hath  a  displeased  eye,"  hurriedly 


THE  BRAVO.  135 

observed  Donna  Florinda,     "I   wonder  that  we 
should  be  known !" 

"I  should  more  wonder  that  we  were  not.  I 
could  recall  the  noble  Neapolitan  cavalier  amid  a 
million !  Thou  dost  not  remember  ail  that  I  owe 
to  him!" 

Donna  Florinda  did  not  answer ;  but,  in  secret 
she  offered  up  a  fervent  prayer  that  the  obligation 
might  be  blessed  to  the  future  happiness  of  her  who 
had  received  it.  There  was  a  furtive  and  uneasy 
glance  between  her  and  the  Carmelite;  but,  as 
neither  spoke,  a  long  and  thoughtful  silence  succeed 
ed  the  rencontre. 

From  this  musing,  the  party,  in  common  with  all 
the  gay  and  laughing  multitude  by  which  they  were 
surrounded,  were  reminded  of  the  business  on 
which  they  were  assembled  by  the  signal-gun,  the 
agitation  on  the  great  canal  nearest  the  scene  of 
strife,  and  a  clear  blast  of  the  trumpets.  But  in  or 
der  that  the  narrative  may  proceed  regularly,  it  is 
fit  that  we  should  return,  a  little,  in  the  order  of 
time 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Here  art  thou  in  appointment  fresh  and  fair, 
Anticipating  time  with  starting  courage. 

SHAKSPEARK. 

It  has  been  seen  that  the  gondolas,  which  were 
to  contend  in  the  race,  had  been  towed  towards  the 
place  of  starting,  in  order  that  the  men  might  enter 
on  the  struggle  with  undiminished  vigor.  In  this 
precaution,  even  the  humble  and  half-clad  fisherman 
had  not  been  neglected,  but  his  boat,  like  the  others, 
was  attached  to  the  larger  barges  to  which  this  dut 


136  THE  BRAVO. 

had  been  assigned.  Still,  as  he  passed  along  the 
canal,  before  the  crowded  balconies  and  groaning 
vessels  which  lined  its  sides,  there  arose  that  scorn 
ful  and  deriding  laugh,  which  seems  ever  tc  grow 
more  strong  and  bold,  as  misfortune  weighs  most 
heavily  on  its  subject. 

The  old  man  was  not  unconscious  of  th«  remarks 
of  which  he  was  the  subject ;  and,  as  it  is  rare  in 
deed  that  our  sensibilities  do  not  survive  our  better 
fortunes,  even  he  was  so  far  conscious  of  a  fall  as 
not  to  be  callous  to  contempt  thus  openly  expressed. 
He  looked  wistfully  on  every  side  of  him,  and  seem 
ed  to  search,  in  every  eye  he  encountered,  some 
portion  of  the  sympathy  which  his  meek  and  hum 
ble  feelings  still  craved.  But  even  the  men  of  his 
caste  and  profession  threw  jibes  upon  his  ear ;  and, 
though  of  all  the  competitors  perhaps  the  one  whose 
motive  most  hallowed  his  ambition,  he  was  held  to 
be  the  only  proper  subject  of  mirth.  For  the  solu 
tion  of  this  revolting  trait  of  human  character,  we 
are  not  to  look  to  Venice  and  her  institutions,  since 
it  is  known  that  none  are  so  arrogant,  on  occasions, 
as  the  ridden,  and  that  the  abject  and  insolent  spirits 
are  usually  tenants  of  the  same  bosom. 

The  movement  of  the  boats  brought  those  of  the 
masked  waterman  and  the  subject  of  these  taunts 
side  by  side. 

"  Thou  art  not  the  favorite  in  this  strife,"  observed 
the  former,  when  a  fresh  burst  of  jibes  were  show 
ered  on  the  head  of  his  unresisting  associate.  "  Thou 
hast  not  been  sufficiently  heedful  of  thy  attire ;  for 
this  is  a  town  of  luxury,  and  he  who  would  meet 
applause  must  appear  on  the  canals  in  the  guise  of 
one  less  borne  upon  by  fortune." 

"  I  know  them !  I  know  them  !"  returned  the  fish 
erman  ;  "  they  are  led  away  by  their  pride,  and  they 
think  ill  of  one  who  cannot  share  in  their  vanities. 
But,  friend  unknown,  1  have  brought  with  me  a  face 


THE  BRAVO.  137 

which,  old  though  it  be,  and  wrinkled,  and  worn  by 
the  weather  like  the  stones  of  the  sea-shore,  is  un 
covered  to  the  eye,  and  without  shame." 

"  There  may  be  reasons  which  thou  knowest  not, 
why  I  wear  a  mask.  But  if  my  face  be  hid,  th 
limbs  are  bare,  and  thou  seest  there  is  no  lack  of 
sinews  to  make  good  that  which  I  have  undertaken. 
Thou  should'st  have  thought  better  of  the  matter, 
ere  thou  puttest  thyself  in  the  way  of  so  much  mor 
tification.  Defeat  will  not  cause  the  people  to  treat 
thee  more  tenderly." 

"If  my  sinews  are  old  and  stiffened,  Signor 
Mask,  they  are  long  used  to  toil.  As  to  shame,  if  it 
is  a  shame  to  be  below  the  rest  of  mankind  in  for 
tune,  it  will  not  now  come  for  the  first  time.  A 
heavy  sorrow  hath  befallen  me,  and  this  race  may 
lighten  the  burthen  of  grief.  I  shall  not  pretend  that 
I  hear  this  laughter,  and  all  these  scornful  speeches 
as  one  listens  to  the  evening  breeze  on  the  Lagunes 
— for  a  man  is  still  a  man,  though  he  lives  with 
the  humblest,  and  eats  of  the  coarsest.  But  let  it 
pass ;  Sant'  Antonio  will  give  me  heart  to  bear  it." 

"  Thou  hast  a  stout  mind,  fisherman ;  and  I  would 
gladly  pray  my  patron  to  grant  thee  a  stronger  arm, 
but  that  I  have  much  need  of  this  victory  myself. 
Wilt  thou  be  content  with  the  second  prize,  if,  by 
any  manner  of  skill,  I  might  aid  thee  in  thy  efforts  ? 
—for,  I  suppose,  the  metal  of  the  third  is  as  little  to 
thy  taste  as  it  is  to  my  own." 

"  Nay,  I  count  not  on  gold,  or  silver." 

"  Can  the  honor  of  such  a  struggle  awaken  the 
pride  of  one  like  thee?" 

The  old  man  looked  earnestly  at  his  companion; 
but  he  shook  his  head,  without  answer.  Fresh  mer 
riment,  at  his  expense,  caused  him  to  bend  his  face 
towards  the  scoffers;  and  he  perceived  they  were, 
just  then,  passing  a  numerous  group  of  his  fellows 
of  the  Lagunes,  who  seemed  to  feel  that  his  urijusti- 
M2 


138  THE   BRAVO. 

fiable  ambition  reflected,  in  some  degree,  on  the 
honor  of  their  whole  body. 

"How  now,  old  Antonio!"  shouted  the  boldest 
of  the  band — "  is  it  not  enough  that  thou  hast  won 
the  honors  of  the  net,  but  thou  would'st  have  a 
golden  oar  at  thy  neck '{ " 

"We  shall  yet  see  him  of  the  senate!"  cried  a 
second. 

"  He  standeth  in  need  of  the  horned  bonnet  for 
his  naked  head,"  continued  a  third.  "  We  shall  see 
the  brave  Admiral  Antonio,  sailing  in  the  Bucentaur, 
with  the  nobles  of  the  land ! " 

Their  sallies  were  succeeded  by  coarse  laughter. 
Even  the  fair,  in  the  balconies,  were  not  uninfluenced 
by  these  constant  jibes,  and  the  apparent  discrepan 
cy  between  the  condition  and  the  means  of  so  unu 
sual  a  pretender  to  the  honors  of  the  regatta.  The 
purpose  of  the  old  man  wavered ;  but  he  seemed 
goaded  by  some  inward  incentive  that  still  enabled 
him  to  maintain  his  ground.  His  companion  closely 
watched  the  varying  expression  of  a  countenance 
that  was  far  too  little  trained  in  deception  to  con 
ceal  the  feelings  within;  and,  as  they  approached 
the  place  of  starting,  he  again  spoke. 

"  Thou  mayest  yet  withdraw,"  he  said ; — "  why 
should  one  of  thy  years  make  the  little  time  he  has 
to  stay  bitter,  by  bearing  the  ridicule  of  his  asso 
ciates  for  the  rest  of  his  life  1 " 

"  St.  Anthony  did  a  greater  wonder,  when  he 
caused  the  fishes  to  come  upon  the  waters  to  hear 
his  preaching,  and  I  will  not  show  a  cowardly 
heart,  at  a  moment  when  there  is  most  need  of  reso 
lution." 

The  masked  waterman  crossed  himself  devoutly ; 
and,  relinquishing  all  further  design  to  persuade  the 
other  to  abandon  the  fruitless  contest,  he  gave  all  hia 
thoughts  to  his  own  interest  in  the  coming  struggle. 

The  narrowness  of  most  of  the  canals  of  Venice 


THE    BRAVO.  139 

with  the  innumerable  angles  and  the  constant  pass 
ing,  have  given  rise  to  a  fashion  of  construction  and 
of  rowing  that  are  so  peculiar  to  that  city  and  its 
immediate  dependencies  as  to  require  some  explana 
tion.  The  reader  has  doubtless  already  understood 
that  a  gondola  is  a  long,  narrow,  and  light  boat, 
adapted  to  the  uses  of  the  place,  and  distinct  from 
the  wherries  of  all  other  towns.  The  distance  be 
tween  the  dwellings,  on  most  of  the  canals,  is  so 
small,  that  the  width  of  the  latter  does  not  admit  of 
the  use  of  oars  on  both  sides  at  the  same  time.  The 
necessity  of  constantly  turning  aside  to  give  room 
for  others,  and  the  frequency  of  the  bridges  and  the 
corners,  have  suggested  the  expediency  of  placing 
the  face  of  the  waterman  in  the  direction  in  which 
the  boat  is  steering,  and,  of  course,  of  keeping  him  on 
his  feet.  As  every  gondola,  when  fully  equipped,, 
has  its  pavilion  in  the  centre,  the  height  of  the  latter 
renders  it  necessary 'to  place  him  who  steers  on 
such  an  elevation,  as  will  enable  him  to  overlook  it. 
From  these  several  causes,  a  one-oared  boat,  in 
Venice,  is  propelled  by  a  gondolier  who  stands  on  a 
little  angular  deck  in  its  stern,  formed  like  the  low 
roof  of  a  house ;  and  the  stroke  of  the  oar  is  given 
by  a  push,  instead  of  a  pull,  as  is  common  elsewhere. 
This  habit  of  rowing  erect,  however,  which  is  usu 
ally  done  by  a  forward,  instead  of  a  backward, 
movement  of  the  body,  is  not  unfrequent  in  all  the 
ports  of  the  Mediterranean,  though  in  no  other  js 
there  a  boat  which  resembles  the  gondola  in  all  its 
properties,  or  uses.  The  upright  position  of  the 
gondolier  requires  that  the  pivot  on  which  the  oar 
rests  should  have  a  corresponding  elevation;  and 
there  is,  consequently,  a  species  of  bumkin,  raised 
from  the  side  of  the  boat,  to  the  desired  height,  and 
which,  being  formed  of  a  crooked  and  very  inegu- 
lar  knee  of  wood,  has  two  or  three  row-locks,  one 
•above  the  other,  to  suit  the  stature  of  different  mdi 


HO  THE   BRAVO. 

viduals,  or  to  give  a  broader  or  a  narrower  sweep 
of  the  blade  as  the  movement  shall  require.  As 
there  is  frequent  occasion  to  cast  the  oar  from  one 
of  these  row-loc]ts  to  the  other,  and  not  unfrequent- 
ly  to  change  its  side,  it  rests  in  a  very  open  bed ; 
and  the  instrument  is  kept  in  its  place  by  great  dex 
terity  alone,  and  by  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
means  of  accommodating  the  force  and  the  rapidi 
ty  of  the  effort  to  the  forward  movement  of  the 
boat  and  the  resistance  of  the  water.  All  these 
difficulties  united,  render  skill  in  a  gondolier  one  of 
the  most  delicate  branches  of  a  waterman's  art,  as 
it  is  clear  that  muscular  strength  alone,  though  of 
great  aid,  can  avail  but  little  in  such  a  practice. 

The  great  canal  of  Venice,  following  its  wind 
ings,  being  more  than  a  league  in  length,  the  distance 
in  the  present  race  was  reduced  nearly  half,  by 
causing  the  boats  to  start  from  the  Rialto.  At  this 
point,  then,  the  gondolas  were,  all  assembled,  attend 
ed  by  those  who  were  to  place  them.  As  the  whole 
of  the  population  which,  before,  had  been  extended 
along  the  entire  course  of  the  water,  was  now 
crowded  between  the  bridge  and  the  Bucentaur,  the 
long  and  graceful  avenue  resembled  a  vista  of  hu 
man  heads.  It  was  an  imposing  sight  to  look  along 
that  bright  and  living  lane,  and  the  hearts  of  each 
competitor  beat  high,  as  hope,  or  pride,  or  appre 
hension,  became  the  feeling  of  the  moment. 

"  Gino  of  Calabria,"  cried  the  marshal  who  placed 
the  gondolas,  "thy  station  is  on  the  right.  Take  it, 
and  St.  Januarius  speed  thee ! " 

The  servitor  of  Don  Camillo  assumed  his  oar,  and 
the  boat  glided  gracefully  into  its  berth. 

"Thou  comest  next,  Enrico  of  Fusina.  Call 
stoutly  on  thy  Paduan  patron,  and  husband  thy 
strength ;  for  none  of  the  main  have  ever  yet  borne 
away  a  prize  in  Venice." 

He  then  summoned,  in  succession,  those  whose 


THE   BRAVO  141 

names  have  not  been  mentioned,  and  placed  them, 
side  by  side,  in  the  centre  of  the  canal. 

"  Here  is  place  for  thee,  Signore,"  continued  the 
officer,  inclining  his  head  to  the  unknown  gondolier 
ror  he  had  imbibed  the  general  impression  that  the 
face  of  some  young  patrician  was  concealed  beneath 
the  mask,  to  humor  the  fancy  of  some  capricious 
fair. — "  Chance  hath  given  thee  the  extreme  left." 

"  Thou  hast  forgotten  to  call  the  fisherman,"  ob 
served  the  masker,  as  he  drove  his  own  gondola 
into  its  station. 

"Does  the  hoary  fool  persist  in  exposing  his  vanity 
and  his  rags  to  the  best  of  Venice?" 

"  I  can  take  place  in  the  rear,"  meekly  observed 
Antonio.  "  There  may  be  those  in  the  line  it  doth 
not  become  one  like  me  to  crowd ;  and  a  few  strokes 
of  the  oar,  more  or  less,  can  differ  but  little,  in  so 
long  a  strife." 

"  Thou  hadst  better  push  modesty  to  discretion, 
and  remain." 

"  If  it  be  your  pleasure,  Signore,  I  would  rather 
see  what  St.  Anthony  may  do  for  an  old  fisherman, 
who  has  prayed  to  him,  night  and  morning,  these 
sixty  years'?" 

"It  is  thy  right;  and,  as  thou  seemest  content 
with  it,  keep  the  place  thou  hast  in  the  rear.  It  is 
only  occupying  it  a  little  earlier  than  thou  would'st 
othei  wise.  Now,  recall  the  rules  of  the  games,  hardy 
gondoliers,  and  make  thy  last  appeal  to  thy  patrons. 
There  is  to  be  no  crossing,  or  other  foul  expedients ; 
naught  except  ready  oars,  and  nimble  wrists.  He 
who  varies,  needlessly,  from  his  line  until  he  leadeth, 
shall  be  recalled  by  name ;  and  whoever  is  guilty  of 
any  act  to  spoil  the  sports,  or  otherwise  to  offend 
the  patricians,  shall  be  both  checked  and  punished. 
Be  ready  for  the  signal." 

The  assistant,  who  was  in  a  strongly  manned 
boat,  fell  back  a  Mttle,  while  runners,  similarly 


142  THE   BRAVO. 

equipped,  went  ahead  to  order  the  curious  from  the 
water.  These  preparations  were  scarcely  made, 
when  a  signal  floated  on  the  nearest  dome.  It  was 
repeated  on  the  campanile,  and  a  gun  was  fired  at 
the  arsenal.  A  deep  but  suppressed  murmur  arose 
in  the  throng,  which  was  as  quickly  succeeded  by 
suspense. 

Each  gondolier  had  suffered  the  bows  of  his  boat 
to  incline  slightly  toward  the  left  shore  of  the  canal, 
as  the  jockey  is  seen,  at  the  starting-post,  to  turn  his 
courser'aside,  in  order  to  repress  its  ardor,  or  divert 
its  attention.  But  the  first  long  and  broad  sweep 
of  the  oar  brought  them  all  in  a  line  again,  and  away 
they  glided  in  a  body. 

For  the  first  few  minutes  there  was  no  difference 
in  speed,  nor  any  sign  by  which  the  instructed  might 
detect  the  probable  evidence  of  defeat  or  success. 
The  whole  ten,  which  formed  the  front  line,  skimmed 
the  water  with  an  equal  velocity,  beak  to  beak,  as  if 
some  secret  attraction  held  each  in  its  place,  while 
the  humble,  though  equally  light  bark  of  the  fisher 
man  steadily  kept  its  position  in  the  rear. 

The  boats  were  soon  held  in  command.  The 
oars  got  their  justest  poise  and  widest  sweep,  and 
the  wrists  of  the  men  accustomed  to  their  play. 
The  line  began  to  waver.  It  undulated,  the  glitter 
ing  prow  of  one  protruding  beyond  the  others ;  and 
then  it  changed  its  form.  Enrico  of  Fusina  shot 
ahead,  and,  privileged  by  success,  he  insensibly 
sheered  more  into  the  centre  of  the  canal,  avoiding, 
by  the  change,  the  eddies,  and  the  other  obstructions 
of  the  shore.  This  manoeuvre  which,  in  the  lan 
guage  of  the  course,  would  have  been  called  "taking 
the  track,"  had  the  additional  advantage  of  throwing 
upon  those  who  followed  some  trifling  impediment 
from  the  back-water.  The  sturdy  and  practised 
Bartolomeo  of  the  Lido,  as  his  companions  usually 
called  him,  came  next,  occupying  the  space  on  his 


THE   BRAVO.  143 

leader's  quarter,  where  he  suffered  least  from  the 
reaction  caused  by  the  stroke  of  his  oar.  The 
gondolier  of  Don  Camillo,  also,  soon  shot  out  of  the 
crowd,  and  was  seen  plying  his  arms  vigorously  still 
farther  to  the  right,  and  a  little  in  the  rear  of  Bar- 
tolomeo.  Then  came,  in  the  centre  of  the  canal, 
and  near  as  might  be  in  the  rear  of  the  triumphant 
waterman  of  the  main,  a  dense  body,  with  little  order  • 
and  varying  positions,  compelling  each  other  to  give 
way,  and  otherwise  increasing  the  difficulties  of 
their  struggle.  More  to  the  left,  and  so  near  to  the 
palaces  as  barely  to  allow  room  for  the  sweep  of 
his  oar,  was  the  masked  competitor,  whose  progress 
seemed  retarded  by  some  unseen  cause,  for  he 
gradually  fell  behind  all  the  others,  until  several 
boats'  lengths  of  open  water  lay  between  him  and 
even  the  group  of  his  nameless  opponents.  Still  he 
plied  his  arms  steadily,  and  with  sufficient  skill. 
As  the  interest  of  mystery  had  been  excited  in  his 
favor,  a  rumor  passed  up  the  canal,  that  the  young 
cavalier  had  been  little  favored  by  fortune  in  the 
choice  of  a  boat.  Others,  who  reflected  more 
deeply  on  causes,  whispered  of  the  folly  of  one  of 
his  habits,  taking  the  risk  of  mortification  by  a  com 
petition  with  men  whose  daily  labor  had  hardened 
their  sinews,  and  whose  practice  enabled  them  to 
judge  closely  of  every  chance  of  the  race.  But 
when  the  eyes  of  the  multitude  turned  from  the 
cluster  of  passing  boats  to  the  solitary  barge  of  the 
fisherman,  who  came  singly  on  in  the  rear,  admira 
tion  was  again  turned  to  derision. 

Antonio  had  cast  aside  the  cap  he  wore  of  wont, 
and  the  few  straggling  hairs  that  were  left  streamed 
about  his  hollow  temples,  leaving  the  whole  of  hi 
swarthy  features  exposed  to  view.  More  than  once, 
as  the  gondola  came  on,  his  eyes  turned  aside  re 
proachfully,  as  if  he  keenly  felt  the  stings  of  so  many 
unlicensed  tongues  applied  to  feelings  which,  though 


144  THE  BRAVO. 

blunted  by  his  habits  and  condition,  were  far  from 
extinguished.  Laugh  rose  above  laugh,  however, 
and  taunt  succeeded  taunt  more  bitterly,  as  the  boats 
came  among  the  gorgeous  palaces,  which  lined  the 
canal  nearer  to  the  goal.  It  was  not  that  the  owners 
of  these  lordly  piles  indulged  in  the  unfeeling  triumph, 
but.  their  dependants,  constantly  subject  themselves 
to  the  degrading  influence  of  a  superior  presence, 
let  loose  the  long-pent  torrents  of  their  arrogance, 
on  the  head  of  the  first  unresisting  subject  which 
offered. 

Antonio  bore  all  these  jibes  manfully,  if  not  in 
tranquillity,  and  always  without  retort,  until  he  again 
approached  the  spot  occupied  by  his  companions  of 
the  Lagunes.  Here  his  eye  sunk  under  the  re 
proaches,  and  his  oar  faltered.  The  taunts  and 
denunciations  increased  as  he  lost  ground,  and  there 
wa-s  a  moment  when  the  rebuked  and  humbled  spirit 
of  the  old  man  seemed  about  to  relinquish  the  con 
test.  But  dashing  a  hand  across  his  brow,  as  if  to 
clear  a  sight  which  had  become  dimmed  and  con 
fused,  he  continued  to  ply  the  oar,  and,  happily,  he 
was  soon  past  the  point  most  trying  to  his  resolution. 
From  this  moment  the  cries  against  the  fisherman 
diminished,  and  as  the  Bucentaur,  though  still  dis 
tant,  was  now  in  sight,  interest  in  the  issue  of  the 
race  absorbed  all  other  feelings. 

Enrico  still  kept  the  lead ;  but  the  judges  of  the 
gondolier's  skill  began  to  detect  signs  of  exhaustion 
in  his  faltering  stroke.  The  waterman  of  the  Lido 
pressed  him  hard,  and  the  Calabrian  was  drawing 
more  into  a  line  with  them  both.  At  this  moment, 
too,  the  masked  competitor  exhibited  u  force  and 
skill  that  none  had  expected  to  see  in  one  of  his 
supposed  rank.  His  body  was  thrown  more  upon 
the  effort  oi  the  oar,  and  as  his  leg  was  stretched 
behind  to  aid  the  stroke,  it  discovered  a  volume  of 
muscle,  and  an  excellence  of  proportion,  that  excit* 


THE   BRAVO.  145 

ed  murmurs  oi  applause.  The  consequence  was 
soon  apparent.  His  gondola  glided  past  the  crowd, 
in  the  centre  of  the  canal,  and  by  a  change  that  was 
nearly  insensible,  he  became  the  fourth  in  the  race. 
The  shouts  which  rewarded  his  success  had  scarcely 
parted  from  the  multitude,  ere  their  admiration  was 
called  to  a  new  and  an  entirely  unexpected  aspect 
in  the  struggle. 

Left  to  his  own  exertions,  and  less  annoyed  by 
that  derision  and  contempt  which  often  defeat  even 
more  generous  exertions,  Antonio  had  drawn  nearer 
to  the  crowd  of  nameless  competitors.  Though 
undistinguished  in  this  narrative,  there  were  seen,  in 
that  group  of  gondoliers,  faces  well  known  on  the 
canals  of  Venice,  as  belonging  to  watermen,  in 
whose  dexterity  and  force  the  city  took  pride. 
Either  favored  by  his  isolated  position,  or  availing 
himself  of  the  embarrassment  these  men  gave  to 
each  other,  the  despised  fisherman  was  seen  a  little 
on  their  left,  coming  up  abreast,  with  a  stroke  and 
velocity  that  promised  farther  success.  The  expec 
tation  was  quickly  realized.  He  passed  them  all, 
amid  a  dead  and  wondering  silence,  and  took  his 
station,  as  fifth  in  the  struggle. 

From  this  moment  all  interest  in  those  who  form 
ed  the  vulgar  mass  was  lost.  Every  eye  was  turned 
towards  the  front,  where  the  strife  increased  at  each 
stroke  of  the  oar,  and  where  the  issue  began  to 
assume  a  new  and  doubtful  character.  The  exer 
tions  of  the  waterman  of  Fusina  were  seemingly 
redoubled,  though  his  boat  went  no  faster.  The 
gondola  of  Bartolomeo  shot  past  him ;  it  was  follow 
ed  by  those  of  Gino  and  the  masked  gondolier,  while 
not  a  cry  betrayed  the  breathless  interest  of  the 
multitude.  But  when  the  boat  of  Antonio  also 
swept  ahead,  there  arose  such  a  hum  of  voices  as 
escapes  a  throng,  when  a  sudden  and  violent  change 
of  feeling  is  produced  in  their  wayward  sentiments, 

N 


»46  THE    BRAVO. 

Enrico  was  frantic  with  the  disgrace.  He  urged 
every  power  of  his  frame  to  avert  the  dishonor 
with  the  desperate  energy  of  an  Italian,  and  then  he 
cast  himself  into  the  bottom  of  the  gondola,  tearing 
his  hair  and  weeping,  in  agony.  His  example  was 
followed  by  those  in  the  rear,  though  with  more 
governed  feelings,  for  they  shot  aside  among  the 
boats  which  lined  the  canal,  and  were  lost  to  view 

From  this  open  and  unexpected  abandonment  of 
the  struggle,  the  spectators  got  the  surest  evidence 
of  its  desperate  character.  But  as  a  man  has  little 
sympathy  for  the  unfortunate,  when  his  feelings  are 
excited  by  competition,  the  defeated  were  quickly 
forgotten.  The  name  of  Bartolomeo  was  borne 
high  upon  the  winds,  by  a  thousand  voices,  and  his 
fellows  of  the  Piazzetta  and  the  Lido  called  upon 
him,  aloud,  to  die  for  the  honor  of  their  craft.  Well 
did  the  sturdy  gondolier  answer  to  their  wishes,  foi 
palace  after  palace  was  left  behind,  and  no  furthei 
change  was  made  in  the  relative  positions  of  the 
boats.  But,  like  his  predecessor,  the  leader  re 
doubled  his  efforts,  with  a  diminished  effect,  and 
Venice  had  the  mortification  of  seeing  a  stranger 
leading  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of  her  regattas. 
Bartolomeo  no  sooner  lost  place,  than  Gino,  the 
masker,  and  the  despised  Antonio,  in  turn,  shot  by, 
leaving  him  who  had  so  lately  been  first  in  the  race, 
the  last.  He  did  not,  however,  relinquish  the  strife, 
but  continued  to  struggle  with  the  energy  of  one 
who  merited  a  better  fortune. 

When  this  unexpected  and  entirely  new  character 
was  given  to  the  contest,  there  still  remained  a  broad 
sheet  of  water,  between  the  advancing  gondolas 
and  the  goal.  Gino  led,  and  with  many  favorable 
symptoms  of  his  being  able  to  maintain  his  advan 
tage.  He  was  encouraged  by  the  shouts  of  the 
multitude,  who  now  forgot  his  Calabrian  origin,  in 
his  success,  while  many  of  the  serving-men  of  hi/ 


THE   BRAVO.  147 

master,  cheered  him  on,  by  name.  All  would  not  do. 
The  masked  waterman,  for  the  first  time,  threw  the 
grandeur  of  his  skill  and  force  into  the  oar.  The 
ashen  instrument  bent  to  the  power  of  an  arm,  whose 
strength  appeared  to  increase  at  will,  and  the  move 
ments  of  his  body  became  rapid  as  the  leaps  of  the 
grayhound.  The  pliant  gondola  obeyed,  and  amid 
a  shout  which  passed  from  the  Piazzetta  to  the 
Rialto,  it  glided  ahead. 

If  success  gives  force  and  increases  the  physical 
and  moral  energies,  there  is  a  fearful  and  certain 
reaction  in  defeat.  The  follower  of  Don  Camillo 
was  no  exception  to  the  general  law,  and  when  the 
masked  competitor  passed  him,  the  boat  of  Antonio 
followed  as  if  it  were  impelled  by  the  same  strokes. 
The  distance  between  the  two  leading  gondolas 
even  now  seemed  to  lessen,  and  there  was  a  moment 
of  breathless  interest,  when  all  there  expected  to  see 
the  fisherman,  in  despite  of  his  years  and  boat, 
shooting  past  his  rival. 

But  expectation  was  deceived.  He  of  the  mask, 
notwithstanding  his  previous  efforts,  seemed  to  sport 
with  the  toil,  so  ready  was  the  sweep  of  his  oar,  so 
sure  its  stroke,  and  so  vigorous  the  arm  by  which  it 
was  impelled.  Nor  was  Antonio  an  antagonist  to 
despise.  If  there  was  less  of  the  grace  of  a  prac 
tised  gondolier  of  the  canals  in  his  attitudes,  than  in 
those  of  his  companion,  there  was  no  relaxation  in 
the  force  of  his  sinews.  They  sustained  him  to  the 
last,  with  that  enduring  power  which  had  been  be 
gotten  by  threescore  years  of  unremitting  labor,  and 
while  his  still  athletic  form  was  exerted  to  the  utmost, 
there  appeared  no  failing  of  its  energies. 

A  few  moments  sent  the  leading  gondolas  severa. 
lengths  ahead  of  their  nearest  followers.  The  dark 
Deak  of  the  fisherman's  boat  hung  upon  the  quarter 
of  the  more  showy  bark  of  his  antagonist,  but  it 
could  do  no  more.  The  port  was  open  before  them 


148  THE    BRAVO. 

and  they  glanced  by  church,  palace,  barge,  mystick, 
and  felucca,  without  the  slightest  inequality  in  their 
relative  speed.  The  masked  waterman  glanced  a 
look  behind,  as  if  to  calculate  his  advantage,  and 
then  bending  again  to  his  pliant  oar,  he  spoke,  loud 
enough  to  be  heard  only  by  him  who  pressed  so 
nard  upon  his  track. 

"Thou  hast  deceived  me,  fisherman!"  he  said; 
"  there  is  more  of  manhood  in  thee,  yet,  than  I  had 
thought." 

"If  there  is  manhood  in  my  arms,  there  is  child- 
ishness  and  sorrow  at  the  heart ;"  was  the  reply. 

"  Dost  thou  so  prize  a  golden  bauble  1  Thou  art 
second ;  be  content  with  thy  lot." 

"  It  will  not  do ;  I  must  be  foremost,  or  I  have 
wearied  my  old  limbs  in  vain ! " 

This  brief  dialogue  was  uttered,  with  an  ease  that 
showed  how  far  use  had  accustomed  both  to  pow 
erful  bodily  efforts,  and  with  a  firmness  of  tones, 
that  few  could  have  equalled,  in  a  moment  of  so 
great  physical  effort.  The  masker  was  silent,  but 
his  purpose  seemed  to  waver.  Twenty  strokes  of 
his  powerful  oar-blade,  and  the  goal  was  attained : 
but  his  sinews  were  not  so  much  extended,  and  that 
limb,  which  had  shown  so  fine  a  development  of 
muscle,  was  less  swollen  and  rigid.  The  gondola 
of  old  Antonio  glided  abeam. 

"  Push  thy  soul  into  the  blade,"  muttered  he  of 
the  mask,  "  or  thou  wilt  yet  be  beaten  ! " 

The  fisherman  threw  every  effort  of  his  body  on 
the  coming  effort,  and  he  gained  a  fathom.  Another 
stroke  caused  the  boat  to  quiver  to  its  centre,  and 
the  water  curled  from  its  bows,  like  the  ripple  of  a 
rapid.  Then  the  gondola  darted  between  the  two 
goal-barges,  and  the  little  flags  that  marked  the 
point  of  victory  fell  into  the  water.  The  action 
was  scarce  noted,  ere  the  glittering  beak  of  the 
masquer  shot  past  the  eyes  of  the  judges,  who 


THE    BRAVO.  149 

doubted,  for  an  instant,  on  whom  success  had  fallen. 
Gino  was  not  long  behind,  and  after  him  came  Bar- 
tolomeo,  fourth  and  last,  in  the  best-contested  race 
which  had  ever  been  seen  on  the  waters  of  Venice. 

When  the  flags  fell,  men  held  their  breaths  in 
suspense.  Few  knew  the  victor,  so  close  had  been 
the  struggle.  But  a  flourish  of  the  trumpets  soon 
commanded  attention,  and  then  a  herald  proclaim 
ed,  that — 

"  Antonio,  a  fisherman  of  the  Lagunes,  favored 
by  his  holy  patron  of  the  Miraculous  Draught,  had 
borne  away  the  prize  of  gold — while  a  waterman, 
who  wore  his  face  concealed,  but  who  hath  trusted 
to  the  care  of  the  blessed  San  Giovanni  of  the  Wil 
derness,  is  worthy  of  the  silver  prize,  and  that  the 
third  had  fallen  to  the  fortunes  of  Gino  of  Calabria, 
a  servitor  of  the  illustrious  Don  Camillo  Monforte, 
Duca  di  Sant'  Agata,  and  lord  of  many  Neapolitan 
Seignories." 

When  this  formal  announcement  was  made,  there 
succeeded  a  silence  like  that  of  the  tomb.  Then 
there  arose  a  general  shout  among  the  living  mass, 
which  bore  on  high  the  name  of  Antonio,  as  if  they 
celebrated  the  success  of  some  conqueror.  All 
feeling  of  contempt  was  lost  in  the  influence  of  his 
triumph.  The  fishermen  of  the  Lagunes,  who  so 
lately  had  loaded  their  aged  companion  with  con 
tumely,  shouted  for  his  glory,  with  a  zeal  that  mani 
fested  the  violence  of  the  transition  from  mortifica 
tion  to  pride,  and,  as  has  ever  been  and  ever  will  be 
the  meed  of  success,  he  who  was  thought  least  likely 
to  obtain  it  was  most  greeted  with  praise  and  adu 
lation,  when  it  was  found  that  the  end  had  disap 
pointed  expectation.  Ten  thousand  voices  were 
lifted,  in  proclaiming  his  skill  and  victory,  and  young 
and  old,  the  fair,  the  gay,  the  noble,  the  winner  of 
sequins  and  he  who  lost,  struggled  alike,  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  the  humble  old  man,  who  had  so  unex- 
N2 


150  THE    BRAVO. 

pectedly  wrought  this  change  of  sentiment  in  the 
feelings  of  a  multitude. 

Antonio  bore  his  triumph  meekly.  When  his 
gondola  had  reached  the  goal,  he  checked  its  course, 
and,  without  discovering  any  of  the  usual  signs  of 
exhaustion,  he  remained  standing,  though  the  deep 
heaving  of  his  broad  and  tawny  chest,  proved 
fhat  his  powers  had  been  taxed  to  their  utmost.  He 
smiled  as  the  shouts  arose  on  his  ear,  for  praise  is 
grateful,  even  to  the  meek ;  still  he  seemed  oppress 
ed,  with  an  emotion  of  a  character  deeper  than 
pride.  Age  had  somewhat  dimmed  his  eye,  but  it 
was  now  full  of  hope.  His  features  worked,  and  a 
single  burning  drop  fell  on  each  rugged  cheek.  The 
fisherman  then  breathed  more  freely. 

Like  his  successful  antagonist,  the  waterman  of 
the  mask  betrayed  none  of  the  debility  which  usual 
ly  succeeds  great  bodily  exertion.  His  knees  were 
motionless,  his  hands  still  grasped  the  oar  firmly, 
and  he  too  kept  his  feet  with  a  steadiness  that  show 
ed  the  physical  perfection  of  his  frame.  On  the 
other  hand,  both  Gino  and  Bartolomeo  sunk  in  their 
respective  boats,  as  they  gained  the  goal,  in  succes 
sion  ;  and  so  exhausted  was  each  of  these  renown 
ed  gondoliers,  that  several  moments  elapsed  before 
either  had  breath  for  speech.  It  was  during  this 
momentary  pause  that  the  multitude  proclaimed  its 
sympathy  with  the  victor,  by  their  longest  and 
loudest  shouts.  The  noise  had  scarcely  died  away, 
however,  before  a  herald  summoned  Antonio  of  the 
Lagunes,  the  masked  waterman  of  the  Blessed  St. 
John  of  the  Wilderness,  and  Gino  the  Calabrian,  to 
the  presence  of  the  doge,  whose  princely  hand  was 
to  bestow  the  promised  prizes  of  the  regatta. 


THE    BRAVO.  151 


CHAPTER  X. 

We  shall  not  spend  a  large  expense  of  time, 
Before  we  reckon  with  your  several  loves, 
And  make  us  even  with  you. 

Macleth. 

WHEN  the  three  gondolas  reached  the  side  of  the 
Bucentaur,  the  fisherman  hung  back,  as  if  he  dis 
trusted  his  right  to  intrude  himself  into  the  presence 
of  the  senate.  He  was,  however,  commanded  to 
ascend,  and  signs  were  made  for  his  two  compan 
ions  to  follow. 

The  nobles,  clad  in  their  attire  of  office,  formed 
a  long  and  imposing  lane  from  the  gangway  to  the 
stern,  where  the  titular  sovereign  of  that  still  more 
titular  republic  was  placed,  in  the  centre  of  the  high 
officers  of  the  state,  gorgeous  and  grave  in  borrow 
ed  guise  and  natural  qualities. 

"  Approach,"  said  the  Prince,  mildly,  observing 
that  the  old  and  half-naked  man  that  led  the  victors 
hesitated  to  advance.  "  Thou  art  the  conqueror, 
fisherman,  and  to  thy  hands  must  I  consign  the 
prize." 

Antonio  bent  his  knee  to  the  deck,  and  bowed  his 
head  lowly  ere  he  obeyed.  Then  taking  courage, 
he  drew  nearer  to  the  person  of  the  doge,  where  he 
stood  with  a  bewildered  eye  and  rebuked  mien, 
waiting  the  further  pleasure  of  his  superiors.  The 
aged  prince  paused  for  stillness  to  succeed  the  slight 
movements  created  by  curiosity.  When  he  spoke, 
it  was  amid  a  perfect  calm. 

"  It  is  the  boast  of  our  glorious  republic,"  he  said, 
"  that  the  rights  of  none  are  disregarded ;  that  the 
lowly  receive  their  merited  rewards  as  surely  as  the 
great ;  that  St.  Mark  holds  the  balance  with  an  even 


J52  THE    BRAVO 

hand,  and  that  this  obscure  fisherman,  having  de 
served  the  honors  of  this  regatta,  will  receive  them 
with  the  same  readiness  on  the  part  of  him  who  be-- 
stows,  as  if  he  were  the  most  favored  follower  of 
our  own  house.  Nobles  and  burghers  of  Venice, 
learn  to  prize  your  excellent  and  equable  laws  in 
this  occasion,  for  it  is  most  in  acts  of  familiar  and 
common  usage  that  the  parental  character  of  a 
government  is  seen,  since  in  matters  of  higher  mo 
ment,  the  eyes  of  a  world  impel  a  compliance  with 
its  own  opinions." 

The  doge  delivered  these  preliminary  remarks  in 
a  firm  tone,  like  one  confident  of  his  auditors'  ap 
plause.  He  was  not  deceived.  No  sooner  had  he 
done,  than  a  murmur  of  approbation  passed  through 
the  assembly,  and  extended  itself  to  thousands  who 
were  beyond  the  sound  of  his  voice,  and  to  more 
who  were  beyond  the  reach  of  his  meaning.  The 
senators  bent  their  heads  in  acknowledgment  of  the 
justice  of  what  their  chief  had  uttered,  and  the  lat 
ter,  having  waited  to  gather  these  signs  of  an  ap 
proving  loyalty,  proceeded. 

"  It  is  my  duty,  Antonio,  and,  being  a  duty,  it  hath 
become  a  pleasure,  to  place  around  thy  neck  this 
golden  chain.  The  oar  which  it  bears  is  an  emblem 
of  thy  skill ;  and  among  thy  associates  it  will  be  a 
mark  of  the  republic's  favor  and  impartiality,  and 
of  thy  merit.  Take  it,  then,  vigorous  old  man,  for 
though  age  hath  thinned  thy  temples  and  furrowed 
thy  cheek,  it  hath  scarce  affected  thy  wonderful 
sinews  and  hardy  courage  ! " 

"Highness!"  observed  Antonio,  recoiling  apace, 
when  he  found  that  he  was  expected  to  stoop,  in  or 
der  that  the  bauble  might  be  bestowed, "  I  am  not  fit 
10  bear  about  me  such  a  sign  of  greatness  and 
good-fortune.  The  glitter  of  the  gold  would  mock 
my  poverty,  and  a  jewel,  which  comes  from  so 


THE   BRAVO.  153 

princely  a  hand,  would  be  ill  placed  on  a  naked  bo 
som." 

This  unexpected  refusal  caused  a  general  surprise, 
and  a  momentary  pause. 

"  Thou  hast  not  entered  on  the  struggle,  fisher 
man,  without  a  view  to  its  prize '?  But  thou  sayest 
truly,  the  golden  ornament  would,  indeed,  but  ill  be 
fit  thy  condition  and  daily  wants.  Wear  it  for  the 
moment,  since  it  is  meet  that  all  should  know  the 
justice  and  impartiality  of  our  decisions,  and  bring 
it  to  my  treasurer  when  the  sports  are  done ;  he 
will  make  such  an  exchange  as  better  suits  thy 
wishes.  There  is  precedent  for  this  practice,  and 
it  shall  be  followed." 

"Illustrious  Highness!  I  did  not  trust  my  old 
limbs  in  so  hard  a  strife  without  hopes  of  a  reward. 
But  it  was  not  gold,  nor  any  vanity  to  be  seen 
among  my  equals  with  that  glittering  jewel,  that  led 
me  to  meet  the  scorn  of  the  gondoliers,  and  the  dis 
pleasure  of  the  great." 

"  Thou  art  deceived,  honest  fisherman,  if  thou 
supposest  that  we  regard  thy  just  ambition  with  dis 
pleasure.  We  love  to  see  a  generous  emulation 
among  our  people,  and  take  all  proper  means  to  en 
courage  those  aspiring  spirits  who  bring  honor  to  a 
state,  and  fortune  to  our  shores." 

"  I  pretend  not  to  place  my  poor  thoughts  against 
those  of  my  prince,"  answered  the  fisherman ;  "  my 
fears  and  shame  have  led  me  to  believe,  that  it  would 
give  more  pleasure  to  the  noble  and  gay  had  a 
younger  and  happier  borne  away  this  honor." 

"Thou  must  not  think  this.  Bend,  then,  thy 
knee,  that  I  may  bestow  the  prize.  When  the  sun 
sets,  thou  wilt  find  those  in  my  palace,  who  will 
relieve  thee  of  the  ornament,  at  a  just  remunera 
tion." 

'Highness!"  said  Antonio,  looking  earnestly  at 
Jie  doge,  who  again  arrested  his  movement,  in  sur 


154  THE   BRAVO. 

prise,  "  I  am  old,  and  little  wont  to  be  spoilt  by  for  • 
tune.  For  my  wants,  the  Lagunes,  with  the  favor 
of  the  Holy  St.  Anthony,  are  sufficient ;  but  it  is  in 
thy  power  to  make  the  last  days  of  an  old  man  hap 
py,  and  to  have  thy  name  remembered  in  many  an 
honest  and  well-meant  prayer.  Grant  me  back  my 
child,  forget  the  boldness  of  a  heart-broken  father !" 

"  Is  not  this  he  who  urged  us  with  importunity, 
concerning  a  youth  that  is  gone  into  the  service  of 
the  state?"  exclaimed  the  prince,  across  whose 
countenance  passed  that  expression  of  habitual  re 
serve,  which  so  often  concealed  the  feelings  of  the 
man. 

"  The  same,"  returned  a  cold  voice,  which  the 
ear  of  Antonio  well  knew  came  from  the  Signor 
Gradenigo. 

"  Pity  for  thy  ignorance,  fisherman,  represses  our 
anger.  Receive  thy  chain,  and  depart." 

Antonio's  eye  did  not  waver.  He  kneeled  with 
an  air  of  profound  respect,  and  folding  his  hands 
on  his  bosom,  he  said — 

"  Misery  has  made  me  bold,  dread  Prince !  What 
I  say  comes  from  a  heavy  heart,  rather  than  from  a 
licentious  tongue,  and  I  pray  your  royal  ear  to  listen 
with  indulgence." 

"  Speak  briefly,  for  the  sports  are  delayed." 

"  Mighty  Doge !  riches  and  poverty  have  caused 
a  difference  in  our  fortunes,  which  knowledge  and 
ignorance  have  made  wider.  I  am  rude  in  my  dis 
course,  and  little  suited  to  this  illustrious  company. 
But,  Signore,  God  hath  given  to  the  fisherman  the 
same  feelings,  and  the  same  love  for  his  offspring, 
as  he  has  given  to  a  prince.  Did  I  place  depend 
ence  only  on  the  aid  of  my  poor  learning,  I  shoulq 
now  be  dumb,  but  there  is  a  strength  within  that 
gives  me  courage  to  speak  to  the  first  and  noblest  in 
Venice  in  behalf  of  my  child." 

"  Thou  canst  not  impeach  the  senate's  justice,  old 


THE   BRAVO.  155 

man,  nor  utter  aught,  in  truth,  against  the  known 
impartiality  of  the  laws !" 

"  Sovraao  Mio !  deign  to  listen,  and  you  shall 
hear.  I  am  what  your  eyes  behold — a  man,  poor,  la 
borious,  and  drawing  near  to  the  hour  when  he  shall 
be  called  to  the  side  of  the  Blessed  St.  Anthony  of 
Rimini,  and  stand  in  a  presence  even  greater  than 
this.  I  am  not  vain  enough  to  think  that  my  hum 
ble  name  is  to  be  found  among  those  of  the  patri 
cians  who  have  served  the  republic  in  her  wars — 
that  is  an  honor  which  none  but  the  great,  and  the 
noble,  and  the  happy,  can  claim ;  but  if  the  little  I 
have  done  for  my  country  is  not  in  the  Golden  Book, 
it  is  written  here,"  as  Antonio  spoke,  he  pointed  to 
the  scars  on  his  half-naked  form ;  "  these  are  signs 
of  the  enmity  of  the  Turk,  and  I  now  offer  them  as 
BO  many  petitions  to  the  bounty  of  the  senate." 

"  Thou  speakest  vaguely.    What  is  thy  will?" 

"  Justice,  mighty  Prince.  They  have  forced  the 
only  vigorous  branch  from  the  dying  trunk — they 
have  lopped  the  withering  stem  of  its  most  promis 
ing  shoot — they  have  exposed  the  sole  companion 
of  my  labors  and  pleasures,  the  child  to  whom  I 
have  looked  to  close  my  eyes,  when  it  shall  please 
God  to  call  me  away,  untaught,  and  young  in  les 
sons  of  honesty  and  virtue,  a  boy  in  principle  as  in 
years,  to  all  the  temptation,  and  sin,  and  dangerous 
companionship  of  the  galleys ! " 

"Is  this  all?  I  had  thought  thy  gondola  in  the 
decay,  or  thy  right  to  use  the  Lagunes  in  question  ! " 

"  Is  this  all  ?"  repeated  Antonio,  looking  around 
him  in  bitter  melancholy.  "  Doge  of  Venice,  it  is 
more  than  one,  old,  heart-stricken,  and  bereaved, 
can  bear ! " 

"  Go  to ;  take  thy  golden  chain  and  oar,  and  de 
part  among  thy  fellows  in  triumph.  Gladden  thy 
heart  at  a  victory,  on  which  thou  could'st  not,  in 
veason,  have  counted,  and  leave  the  interests  of  the 


156  THE    BRAVO. 

state  to  those  that  are  wiser  than  thee,  and  more 
fitted  to  sustain  its  cares." 

The  fisherman  arose  with  an  air  of  rebuked  sub 
mission,  the  result  of  a  long  life  passed  in  the  habit 
of  political  deference ;  but  he  did  not  approach  to 
receive  the  proffered  reward. 

"  Bend  thy  head,  fisherman,  that  his  Highness 
may  bestow  the  prize,"  commanded  an  officer. 

"  I  ask  not  for  gold,  nor  any  oar,  but  that  which 
carries  me  to  the  Lagunes  in  the  morning,  and 
brings  me  back  into  the  canals  at  night.  Give  me 
my  child,  or  give  me  nothing." 

"Awray  with  him!"  muttered  a  dozen  voices; 
"  he  utters  sedition !  let  him  quit  the  galley." 

Antonio  was  hurried  from  the  presence,  and 
forced  into  his  gondola  with  very  unequivocal  signs 
of  disgrace.  This  unwonted  interruption  of  the 
ceremonies  clouded  many  a  brow,  for  the  sensibili 
ties  of  a  Venetian  noble  were  quick,  indeed,  to  re 
prehend  the  immorality  of  political  discontent, 
though  the  conventional  dignity  of  the  class  sup 
pressed  all  other  ill-timed  exhibition  of  dissatisfac 
tion. 

"  Let  the  next  competitor  draw  near,"  continued 
the  sovereign,  with  a.  composure  that  constant  prac 
tice  in  dissimulation  rendered  easy. 

The  unknown  waterman  to  whose  secret  favor 
Antonio  owed  his  success,  approached,  still  con 
cealed  by  the  licensed  mask. 

"  Thou  art  the  gainer  of  the  second  prize,"  said 
the  prince,  "  and  were  rigid  justice  done,  thou 
should'st  receive  the  first  also,  since  our  favor  is  not 
to  be  rejected  with  impunity. — Kneel,  that  I  may 
bestow  the  favor." 

"  Highness,  pardon !"  observed  the  masker,  bow 
ing  with  great  respect,  but  withdrawing  a  single 
step  from  the  offered  reward ;  "  if  it  be  your  gra 
cious  will  to  grant  a  boon,  for  the  success  of  the 


THE  BRAVO.  157 

regatta,  I,  too,  have  to  pray  that  it  may  be  given  in 
another  form." 

"  This  is  unusual !  It  is  not  wont  that  prizes, 
offered  by  the  hand  of  a  Venetian  doge,  should  go 
a-begging." 

"  I  would  not  seem  to  press  more  than  is  respect 
ful,  in  this  great  presence.  I  ask  but  little,  and,  in 
the  end,  it  may  cost  the  republic  less,  than  that 
which  is  now  offered." 

"  Name  it." 

"  I,  too,  and  on  my  knee,  in  dutiful  homage  to  the 
chief  of  the  state,  beg  that  the  prayer  of  the  old 
fisherman  be  heard,  and  that  the  father  and  son  may 
be  restored  to  each  other,  for  the  service  will  cor 
rupt  the  tender  years  of  the  boy,  and  make  the  age 
of  his  parent  miserable." 

•*  This  touches  on  importunity !  Who  art  thou, 
that  comest  in  this  hidden  manner,  to  support  a 
petition,  on«.e  refused?" 

"Highness — the  second  victor  in  the  ducal 
regatta." 

"  Dost  trifle  in  thy  answers  ?  The  protection  of 
a  mask,  in  all  that  does  not  tend  to  unsettle  the  peace 
of  the  city,  is  sacred.  But  here  seemeth  matter  to 
be  looked  into. — Remove  thy  disguise,  that  we  see 
thee,  eye  to  eye." 

"  I  have  heard  that  he  who  kept  civil  speech,  and 
in  naught  offended  against  the  laws,  might  be  seen 
at  will,  disguised  in  Venice,  without  question  of  his 
affairs,  or  name." 

"  Most  true,  in  all  that  does  not  offend  St.  Mark. 
But  here  is  a  concert  worthy  of  inquiry:  I  com 
mand  thee,  unmask." 

The  waterman,  reading  in  every  face  around  him 
the  necessity  of  obedience,  slowly  withdrew  the 
means  of  concealment,  and  discovered  the  pallid 
countenance  and  glittering  eyes  of  Jacopo.  An  in- 
voluntary  movement  of  all  near,  left  this  dreaded 
O 


158  THE    BRAVO. 

person  standing,  singly,  confronted  with  c?rr',  prir.ce 
of  Venice,  in  a  wide  circle  of  wondering  and  curi 
ous  listeners. 

"I  know  thee  not!"  exclaimed  the  doge,  with  an 
open  amazement  that  proved  his  sincerity,  after  re 
garding  the  other  earnestly  for  a  moment.  "  Thy 
reasons  for  the  disguise  should  be  better  than  thy 
reasons  for  refusing  the  prize." 

The  Signor  Gradenigo  drew  near  to  the  sover 
eign,  and  whispered  in  his  ear.  When  he  had  done, 
the  latter  cast  one  look,  in  which  curiosity  and  aver 
sion  were  in  singular  union,  at  the  marked  counte 
nance  of  the  Bravo,  and  then,  he  silently  motioned 
to  him  to  depart.  The  throng  drew  about  the  royal 
person,  with  instinctive  readiness,  closing  the  space 
in  his  front. 

"  We  shall  look  into  this,  at  our  leisure,"  said  the 
doge.  "  Let  the  festivities  proceed." 

Jacopo  bowed  low,  and  withdrew.  As  he  moved 
along  the  deck  of  the  Bucentaur,  the  senators  made 
way,  as  if  pestilence  was  in  his  path,  though  it  was 
quite  apparent,  by  the  expression  of  their  faces,  that 
it  was  in  obedience  to  a  feeling  of  a  mixed  charac 
ter.  The  avoided,  but  still  tolerated  Bravo  descended 
to  his  gondola,  and  the  usual  signals  were  given  to 
the  multitude  beneath,  who  believed  the  customary 
ceremonies  were  ended. 

"Let  the  gondolier  of  Don  Camillo  Monforte 
stand  forth,"  cried  a  herald,  obedient  to  the  beck 
of  a  superior. 

"  Highness,  here ;"  answered  Gino,  troubled  and 
hurried. 

"Thou  art  of  Calabria?" 

"  Highness,  yes." 

"  But  of  long  practice  on  our  Venetian  canals, 
or  thy  gondola  could  never  have  outstripped  those 
of  the  readiest  oarsmen. — Thou  servest  a  noble 
master  V 


THE  BRAVO.  159 

"  Highness,  yes." 

"  And  it  would  seem  that  the  Duke  of  St  Agata 
is  happy  in  the  possession  of  an  honest  and  faithful 
follower?" 

"  Highness,  too  happy." 

"  Kneel,  and  receive  the  reward  of  thy  resolution 
and  skill." 

Gino,  unlike  those  who  had  preceded  him,  bent  a 
willing  knee  to  the  deck,  and  took  the  prize  with  a 
low  and  humble  inclination  of  the  body.  At  this 
moment  the  attention  of  the  spectators  was  drawn 
from  the  short  and  simple  ceremony  by  a  loud  shout, 
which  arose  from  the  water,  at  no  great  distance 
from  the  privileged  bark  of  the  senate.  A  common 
movement  drew  all  to  the  side  of  the  galley,  and  the 
successful  gondolier  was  quickly  forgotten. 

A  hundred  boats  were  moving,  in  a  body,  towards 
the  Lido,  while  the  space  they  covered  on  the  water 
presented  one  compact  mass  of  the  red  caps  of 
fishermen.  In  the  midst  of  this  marine  picture  was 
seen  the  bare  head  of  Antonio,  borne  along  in  the 
floating  multitude,  without  any  effort  of  his  own. 
The  general  impulsion  was  received  from  the  vigor 
ous  arms  of  some  thirty  or  forty  of  their  number, 
who  towed  those  in  the  rear  by  applying  their  force 
to  three  or  four  large  gondolas  in  advance. 

There  was  no  mistaking  the  object  of  this  sin 
gular  and  characteristic  procession.  The  tenants 
of  the  Lagunes,  with  the  fickleness  with  which  ex 
treme  ignorance  acts  on  human  passions,  had  sud 
denly  experienced  a  violent  revolution  in  their 
feelings  towards  their  ancient  comrade.  He  who, 
an  hour  before,  had  been  derided  as  a  vain  and  ridi 
culous  pretender,  and  on  whose  head  bitter  impre 
cations  nad  been  so  lavishly  poured,  was  now  lauded 
with  cries  of  triumph. 

The  gondoliers  of  the  canals  were  laughed  to 
•corn,  and  the  ears  of  even  the  haughty  nobles  were 


160  THE  BRAVO. 

not  respected,  as  the  exulting  band  taunted  theii 
pampered  menials. 

In  short,  by  a  process  which  is  common  enough 
with  man  in  all  the  divisions  and  subdivisions  of 
society,  the  merit  of  one  was  at  once  intimately  ana 
inseparably  connected  with  the  glory  and  exultation 
of  all. 

Had  the  triumph  of  the  fisherman  confined  itself 
to  this  natural  and  commonplace  exhibition,  it  would 
not  have  given  grave  offence  to  the  vigilant  and 
jealous  power  that  watched  over  the  peace  of  Ven 
ice.  But,  amid  the  shouts  of  approbation  were 
mingled  cries  of  censure.  Words  of  grave  import 
were  even  heard,  denouncing  those  who  refused  to 
restore  to  Antonio  his  child ;  and  it  was  whispered 
on  the  deck  of  the  Bucentaur,  that,  rilled  with  the 
imaginary  importance  of  their  passing  victory,  the 
hardy  band  of  rioters  had  dared  to  menace  a  forci 
ble  appeal,  to  obtain  what  they  audaciously  termed 
the  justice  of  the  case. 

This  ebullition  of  popular  feeling  was  witnessed 
by  the  assembled  senate  in  ominous  and  brooding 
silence.  One  unaccustomed  to  reflection  on  such  a 
subject,  or  unpractised  in  the  world,  might  have 
fancied  alarm  and  uneasiness  were  painted  on  the 
grave  countenances  of  the  patricians,  and  that  the 
signs  of  the  times  were  little  favorable  to  the  con 
tinuance  of  an  ascendency  that  was  dependent  more 
on  the  force  of  convention,  than  on  the  possession 
of  any  physical  superiority.  But,  on  the  other  hand, 
one  who  was  capable  of  judging  between  the  power 
of  political  ascendency,  strengthened  by  its  combi 
nations  and  order,  and  the  mere  ebullitions  of  pas 
sion,  however  loud  and  clamorous,  might  readily 
have  seen  that  the  latter  was  not  yet  displayed  in 
sufficient  energy  to  break  down  the  barriers  which 
the  first  had  erected. 

The  fishermen  were  permitted  to  go  their  way 


THE    BRAVO.  161 

unmolested,  though  here  and  there  a  gondola  was 
seen  stealing  towards  the  Lido,  bearing  certain  of 
those  secret  agents  of  the  police  whose  duty  it  was 
to  forewarn  the  existing  powers  of  the  presence  of 
danger.  Among  the  latter  was  the  boat  of  the 
wine-seller,  which  departed  from  the  Piazzetta,  con 
taining  a  stock  of  his  merchandise,  with  Annina, 
under  the  pretence  of  making  his  profit  out  of  the 
present  turbulent  temper  of  their  ordinary  custom 
ers.  In  the  mean  time,  the  sports  proceeded,  and 
the  momentary  interruption  was  forgotten ;  or,  if 
remembered,  it  was  in  a  manner  suited  to  the  secret 
and  fearful  power  which  directed  the  destinies  of 
that  remarkable  republic. 

There  was  another  regatta,  in  which  men  of  infe 
rior  powers  contended  ;  but  we  deem  it  unworthy 
to  detain  the  narrative  by  a  description. 

Though  the  grave  tenants  of  the  Bucentaur  seem 
ed  to  take  an  interest  in  what  was  passing  immedi 
ately  before  their  eyes,  they  had  ears  for  every 
shout  that  was  borne  on  the  evening  breeze  from 
the  distant  Lido ;  and  more  than  once  the  doge  him 
self  was  seen  to  bend  his  looks  in  that  direction,  in 
a  manner  which  betrayed  the  concern  that  was 
appermost  in  his  mind. 

Still  the  day  passed  on  as  usual.  The  conquerors 
triumphed,  the  crowd  applauded,  and  the  collected 
senate  appeared  to  sympathize  with  the  pleasures 
of  a  people,  over  whom  they  ruled  with  a  certainty 
of  power  that  resembled  the  fearful  and  mysterious 
march  of  destiny. 


02 


l62  THE   BRAVO. 


CHAPTER  XL 

"Which  is  the  merchant  here,  and  which  the  Jew  ?" 

SHAKSPEARE. 

THE  evening  of  such  a  day,  in  a  city  with  the 
nabits  of  Venice,  was  not  likely  to  be  spent  in  the 
dullness  of  retirement.  The  great  square  of  St. 
Mark  was  again  filled  with  its  active  and  motley 
crowd,  and  the  scenes  already  described  in  the 
opening  chapters  of  this  work,  were  resumed,  if  pos 
sible,  with  more  apparent  devotion  to  the  levities  of 
the  hour,  than  on  the  occasion  mentioned.  The 
tumblers  and  jugglers  renewed  their  antics,  the  cries 
of  the  fruit-sellers  and  other  venders  of  light  luxuries 
were  again  mingled  with  the  tones  of  the  flute  and 
the  notes  of  the  guitar  and  harp,  while  the  idle  and 
the  busy,  the  thoughtless  and  the  designing,  the  con 
spirator  and  the  agent  of  the  police,  once  more  met 
in  privileged  security. 

The  night  had  advanced  beyond  its  turn,  when  a 
gondola  came  gliding  through  the  shipping  of  the 
oort,  with  that  easy  and  swan-like  motion,  which  is 
peculiar  to  its  slow  movement,  and  touched  the  quay 
with  its  beak,  at  the  point  where  the  canal  of  St. 
Mark  forms  its  junction  with  the  bay. 

"  Thou  art  welcome,  Antonio,"  said  one,  who  ap 
proached  the  solitary  individual  that  had  directed 
the  gondola,  when  the  latter  had  thrust  the  iron  spike 
of  his  painter  between  the  crevices  of  the  stones,  as 
gondoliers  are  accustomed  to  secure  their  barges 
"  thou  art  welcome,  Antonio,  though  late." 

"  I  begin  to  know  the  sounds  of  that  voice,  though 
they  come  from  a  masked  face,"  said  the  fisherman, 
"  Friend,  I  owe  my  success  to-day  to  thy  kindness, 
and  though  it  has  not  had  the  end  for  which  I  had 
both  hoped  and  prayed,  I  ought  not  to  thank  thee 


THE   BRAVO.  163 

.ess.  Thou  hast  thyself  been  borne  hard  upon  by 
the  world,  or  thou  would'st  not  have  bethought  thee 
of  an  old  and  despised  man,  when  the  shouts  of  tri 
umph  were  ringing  in  thy  ear,  and  when  thy  own 
young  blood  was  stirred  with  the  feelings  of  pride 
and  victory." 

"Nature  gives  thee  strong  language,  fisherman. 
I  have  not  passed  the  hours,  truly,  in  the  games  and 
levities  of  my  years.  Life  has  been  no  festa  to  me — 
but  no  matter.  The  seriate  was  not  pleased  to  hear 
of  lessening  the  number  of  the  galleys'  crew,  and 
thou  wilt  bethink  thee  of  some  other  reward.  I  have, 
here,  the  chain  and  golden  oar  in  the  hope  that  it 
will  still  be  welcome." 

Antonio  looked  amazed,  but,  yielding  to  a  natural 
curiosity,  he  gazed  a  moment  with  a  longing  at  the 
prize.  Then,  recoiling  with  a  shudder,  he  uttered 
moodily,  and  with  the  tones  of  one  whose  determi 
nation  was  made :  "  I  should  think  the  bauble  coined 
of  my  grandchild's  blood !  Keep  it :  they  have  trust 
ed  it  to  thee,  for  it  is  thine  of  right,  and  now  that 
they  refuse  to  hear  my  prayer,  it  will  be  useless  to 
all  but  to  him  who  fairly  earned  it." 

"  Thou  makest  no  allowance,  fisherman,  for  differ 
ence  of  years  and  for  sinews  that  are  in  their  vigor. 
Methinks  that  in  adjudging  such  a  prize,  thought 
should  be  had  to  these  matters,  and  then  wouldest 
thou  be  found  outstripping  us  all.  Holy  St.  Theo 
dore  !  I  passed  my  childhood  with  the  oar  in  hand, 
aiid  never  before  have  I  met  one  in  Venice  who  has 
driven  my  gondola  so  hard !  Thou  touchest  the 
water  with  the  delicacy  of  a  lady  fingering  her  harp, 
and  yet  with  the  force  of  the  wave  rolling  on  the 
Lido!" 

'•I  have  seen  the  hour,  Jacopo,  when  even  thy 
young  arm  would  have  tired,  in  such  a  strife  between 
us.  That  was  before  the  birth  of  my  eldest  son,  who 
died  in  battle  with  the  Ottoman,  when  the  dear  boy 


164  THE   BRAVO. 

he  left  me  was  but  an  infant  in  arms.     Thou  never 
sawest  the  comely  lad,  good  Jacopo?" 

"I  was  not  so  happy,  old  man ;  but  if  he  resembled 
thee,  well  mayest  thou  mourn  his  loss,  Body  of  Di 
ana  !  I  have  little  cause  to  boast  of  the  small  advan 
tage  youth  and  strength  gave  me." 

"  There  was  a  force  within  that  bore  me  and  the 
boat  on — but  of  what  use  hath  it  been  ?  Thy  kind 
ness,  and  the  pain  given  to  an  old  frame,  that  hath 
been  long  racked  by  hardship  and  poverty,  are  both 
thrown  away  on  the  rocky  hearts  of  the  nobles." 

"  We  know  not  yet,  Antonio.  The  good  saints 
will  hear  our  prayers,  when  we  least  think  they  are 
listening.  Come  with  me,  for  I  am  sent  to  seek  thee." 

The  fisherman  regarded  his  new  acquaintance 
with  surprise,  and  then  turning  to  bestow  an  instant 
of  habitual  care  on  his  boat,  he  cheerfully  professed 
himself  ready  to  proceed.  The  place  where  they 
stood  was  a  little  apart  from  the  thoroughfare  of  the 
quays,  and  though  there  was  a  brilliant  moon,  the 
circumstance  of  two  men,  in  their  garbs,  being  there, 
was  not  likely  to  attract  observation;  but  Jacopo 
did  not  appear  to  be  satisfied  with  this  security  from 
remark.  He  waited  until  Antonio  had  left  the  gon 
dola,  and,  then,  unfolding  a  cloak,  which  had  lain  on 
his  arm,  he  threw  it,  without  asking  permission,  over 
the  shoulders  of  the  other.  A  cap,  like  that  he  wore 
himself,  was  next  produced,  and  being  placed  on  the 
gray  hairs  of  the  fisherman,  effectually  completed 
his  metamorphosis. 

"  There  is  no  need  of  a  mask,"  he  said,  examining 
his  companion  attentively,  when  his  task  was  ac 
complished.  "  None  would  know  thee,  Antonio,  in 
this  garb." 

"  And  is  there  need  of  what  thou  hast  done,  Ja 
copo  1  I  owe  thee  thanks  for  a  well-meant,  and,  but 
for  the  hardness  of  heart  of  the  rich  and  powerful, 
for  what  would  have  proved,  a  great  kindness.  StilJ 


THE    BRAVO.  165 

I  must  tell  thee  that  a  mask  was  never  yet  put  before 
my  face ;  for  what  reason  can  there  be,  why  one 
who  rises  with  the  sun  to  go  to  his  toil,  and  who 
trusteth  to  the  favor  of  the  blessed  St.  Anthony  for 
the  little  he  hath,  should  go  abroad  like  a  gallant 
ready  to  steal  the  good  name  of  a  virgin,  or  a  rob 
ber  at  night]" 

"  Thou  knowest  our  Venetian  custom,  and  it  may 
be  well  to  use  some  caution,  in  the  business  we  are 
on." 

"  Thou  forgettest  that  thy  intention  is  yet  a  secret 
to  me.  I  say  it  again,  and  I  say  it  with  truth  and 
gratitude,  that  I  owe  thee  many  thanks,  though  the 
end  is  defeated,  and  the  boy  is  still  a  prisoner  in  the 
floating-school  of  wickedness — but  thou  hast  a  name, 
Jacopo,  that  I  could  wish  did  not  belong  to  thee.  I 
find  it  hard  to  believe  all  that  they  have  this  day  said, 
on  the  Lido,  of  one  who  has  so  much  feeling  for  the 
weak  and  wronged." 

The  Bravo  ceased  to  adjust  the  disguise  of  his 
companion,  and  the  profound  stillness  which  suc 
ceeded  his  remark,  proved  so  painful  to  Antonio,  that 
he  felt  like  one  reprieved  from  suffocation,  when  he 
heard  the  deep  respiration  that  announced  the  relic** 
of  his  companion. 

"  I  would  not  willingly  say — " 

"No  matter,"  interrupted  Jacopo,  in  a  hollow 
voice.  "  No  matter,  fisherman ;  we  will  speak  of 
these  things  on  some  other  occasion.  At  present, 
follow,  and  be  silent." 

As  he  ceased,  the  self-appointed  guide  of  Antonio 
beckoned  for  the  latter  to  come  on,  when  he  led  the 
way  from  the  water-side.  The  fisherman  obeyed, 
for  little  did  it  matter  to  one  poor  and  heart-stricken 
as  he,  whither  he  was  conducted.  Jacopo  took  the 
first  entrance  into  the  court  of  the  doge's  palace. 
His  footstep  was  leisurely,  and  to  the  passing  multi 
tude  they  appeared  like  any  others  of  the  thousands, 


166  THE   BRAVO. 

who  were  abroad  to  breathe  the  soft  air  of  the  night 
or  to  enter  into  the  pleasures  of  the  piazza. 

When  within  the  dimmer  and  broken  light  of  the 
court,  Jacopo  paused,  evidently  to  scan  the  persons 
of  those  it  contained.  It  is  to  be  presumed  he  saw 
no  reason  to  delay,  for  with  a  secret  sign  to  his 
companion  to  follow,  he  crossed  the  area,  and 
mounted  the  well-known  steps,  down  which  the  head 
of  the  Faliero  had  rolled,  and  which,  from  the  sta 
tues  on  the  summit,  is  called  the  Giant's  Stairs.  The 
celebrated  mouths  of  the  lions  were  passed,  and  they 
were  walking  swiftly  along  the  open  gallery,  when 
they  encountered  a  halberdier  of  the  ducal  guard. 

"  Who  comes  ?"  demanded  the  mercenary,  throw 
ing  forward  his  long  and  dangerous  weapon. 
"  Friends  to  the  state  and  to  St.  Mark." 
"  None  pass,  at  this  hour,  without  the  word." 
Jacopo  motioned  to  Antonio  to  stand  fast,  while 
he  drew  nearer  to  the  halberdier  and  whispered. 
The  weapon  was  instantly  thrown  up,  and  the  sen 
tinel  again  paced  the  long  gallery,  with  practised  in 
difference.  The  way  was  no  sooner  cleared  than 
they  proceeded.  Antonio,  not  a  little  amazed  at 
what  he  had  already  seen,  eagerly  followed  his  guide, 
for  his  heart  began  to  beat  high  with  an  exciting, 
but  undefined  hope.  He  was  not  so  ignorant  of  hu 
man  affairs  as  to  require  to  be  told,  that  those  who 
ruled  would  some  time  concede  that  in  secret,  which 
policy  forbade  them  to  yield  openly.  Full,  therefore, 
of  the  expectation  of  being  ushered  into  the  pres* 
ence  of  the  doge  himself,  and  of  having  his  child 
restored  to  his  arms,  the  old  man  stepped  lightly 
along  the  gloomy  gallery,  and  darting  through  an 
entrance,  at  the  heels  of  Jacopo,  he  found  himself 
at  the  foot  of  another  flight  of  massive  steps.  The 
route  now  became  confused  to  the  fisherman,  for, 
quitting  the  more  public  vomitories  of  the  palace,  his 
companion  held  his  way  by  a  secret  door,  through 


THE   BRAVO.  167 

many  dimly  lighted  and  obscure  passages.  They 
ascended  and  descended  frequently,  as  often  quitting 
or  entering  rooms  of  but  ordinary  dimensions  and 
decorations,  until  the  head  of  Antonio  was  completely 
turned,  and  he  no  longer  knew  the  general  direction 
of  their  course.  At  length  they  stopped,  in  an  apart 
ment  of  inferior  ornaments,  and  of  a  dusky  color, 
which  the  feeble  light  rendered  still  more  gloomy. 

"  Thou  art  well  acquainted  with  the  dwelling  of 
our  prince,"  said  the  fisherman,  when  his  companion 
enabled  him  to  speak,  by  checking  his  swift  move 
ments.  "  The  oldest  gondolier  of  Venice  is  not 
more  ready  on  the  canals,  than  thou  appearest  to  be 
among  these  galleries  and  corridors." 

"  'Tis  my  business  to  bring  thee  hither,  and  what 
I  am  to  do,  I  endeavor  to  do  well.  Antonio,  thou 
art  a  man  that  feareth  not  to  stand  in  the  presence 
of  the  great,  as  this  day  hath  shown.  Summon  thy 
courage,  for  a  moment  of  trial  is  before  thee." 

"  I  have  spoken  boldly  to  the  doge.  Except  the 
Holy  Father,  himself,  what  power  is  there  on  earth 
beside  to  fear?" 

"  Thou  mayest  have  spoken,  fisherman,  too  boldly. 
Temper  thy  language,  for  the  great  love  not  words 
of  disrespect." 

« Is  truth  unpleasant  to  them?" 

"  That  is  as  may  be.  They  love  to  hear  their  own 
acts  praised,  when  their  acts  have  merited  praise, 
but  they  do  not  like  to  hear  them  condemned,  even 
though  they  know  what  is  said  to  be  just." 

"  I  fear  me,"  said  the  old  man,  looking  with  sim 
plicity  at  the  other,  "there  is  little  difference   be 
tween  the  powerful  and  the  weak,  when  the  gar 
ments  are  stripped  from  both,  and  the  man  stand 
naked  to  the  eye." 

"  That  truth  may  not  be  spoken  here." 

"  How !  Do  they  deny  that  they  are  Christians, 
and  mortals,  and  sinners?" 


168  THE   BRAVO. 

"  They  make  a  merit  of  the  first,  Antonio — they 
forget  the  second,  and  they  never  like  to  be  called 
the  last,  by  any  but  themselves." 

"  I  doubt,  Jacopo,  after  all,  if  I  get  from  them  the 
freedom  of  the  boy." 

"  Speak  them  fair,  and  say  naught  to  wound  their 
self-esteem,  or  to  menace  their  authority — they  will 
pardon  much,  if  the  last,  in  particular,  be  respected." 

"  But  it  is  that  authority  which  has  taken  away 
my  child !  Can  I  speak  in  favor  of  the  power  which 
I  know  to  be  unjust  ?" 

"  Thou  must  feign  it,  or  thy  suit  will  fail." 

"  I  will  go  back  to  the  Lagunes,  good  Jacopo,  for 
this  tongue  of  mine  hath  ever  moved  at  the  bidding 
of  the  heart.  I  fear  I  am  too  old  to  say  that  a  son 
may  righteously  be  torn  from  the  father  by  violence. 
Tell  them,  thou,  from  me,  that  I  came  thus  far,  in 
order  to  do  them  respect,  but,  that  seeing  the  hope 
lessness  of  beseeching  further,  I  have  gone  to  my 
nets,  and  to  my  prayers  to  blessed  St.  Anthony." 

As  he  ceased  speaking,  Antonio  wrung  the  hand 
of  his  motionless  companion,  and  turned  away,  as 
if  to  retire.  Two  halberds  fell  to  the  level  of  his 
breast,  ere  his  foot  had  quitted  the  marble  floor,  and 
he  now  saw,  for  the  first  time,  that  armed  men  cross 
ed  his  passage,  and  that,  in  truth,  he  was  a  prisoner. 
Nature  had  endowed  the  fisherman  with  a  quick  and 
just  perception,  and  long  habit  had  given  great  stead 
iness  to  his  nerves.  When  he  perceived  his  real 
situation,  instead  of  entering  into  useless  remon 
strance,  or  in  any  manner  betraying  alarm,  he  again 
turned  to  Jacopo  with  an  air  of  patience  and  resig 
nation. 

"  It  must  be  that  the  illustrious  Signore  wish  to  do 
me  justice,"  he  said,  smoothing  the  remnant  of  his 
hair,  as  men  of  his  class  prepare  themselves  for  the 
presence  of  their  superiors,  "  and  it  would  not  be 
decent,  in  an  humble  fisherman,  to  refuse  them  the 


THE   BRAVO.  169 

opportunity.  It  would  be  better,  however,  if  there 
were  less  force  used  here  in  Venice,  in  a  matter  of 
simple  right  and  wrong.  But  the  great  love  to  show 
their  power,  and  the  weak  must  submit." 

"We  shall  see!"  answered  Jacopo,  who  had 
manifested  no  emotion  during  the  abortive  attempt 
of  the  other  to  retire. 

A  profound  stillness  succeeded.  The  halberdiers 
maintained  their  rigid  attitudes,  within  the  shadow 
of  the  wall,  looking  like  two  insensible  statues,  in  the 
attire  and  armor  of  the  age,  while  Jacopo  and  his 
companion  occupied  the  centre  of  the  room,  with 
scarcely  more  of  the  appearance  of  consciousness 
and  animation.  It  may  be  well  to  explain,  here,  to 
the  reader,  some  of  the  peculiar  machinery  of  the 
state,  in  the  country  of  which  we  write,  and  which 
is  connected  with  the  scene  that  is  about  to  follow : 
for  the  name  of  a  republic,  a  word  which,  if  it  mean 
tiny  thing,  strictly  implies  the  representation  and  su 
premacy  of  the  general  interests,  but  which  has  so 
frequently  been  prostituted  to  the  protection  and 
monopolies  of  privileged  classes,  may  have  induced 
him  to  believe  that  there  was,  at  least,  a  resemblance 
between  the  outlines  of  that  government,  and  the 
more  just,  because  more  popular,  institutions  of  his 
own  country. 

In  an  age,  when  rulers  were  profane  enough  to 
assert,  and  the  ruled  weak  enough  to  allow,  that  the 
right  of  a  man  to  govern  his  fellows  was  a  direct 
gift  from  God,  a  departure  from  the  bold  and  selfish 
principle,  though  it  were  only  in  profession,  was 
thought  sufficient  to  give  a  character  of  freedom 
and  common  sense  to  the  polity  of  a  nation.  This 
belief  is  not  without  some  justification,  since  it  es 
tablishes  in  theory,  at  least,  the  foundations  of  gov 
ernment  on  a  base  sufficiently  different  from  that 
which  supposes  all  power  to  be  the  property  of  one, 
that  one  to  be  the  representative  of  the  faultless 
P 


170  THE   BRAVQ 

and  omnipotent  Ruler  of  the  Universe.  With  the 
first  of  these  principles  we  have  nothing  to  do,  ex 
cept  it  be  to  add  that  there  are  propositions  so  inhe 
rently  false  that  they  only  require  to  be  fairly  stated 
to  produce  their  own  refutation ;  but  our  subject  ne 
cessarily  draws  us  into  a  short  digression  on  the 
errors  of  the  second,  as  they  existed  in  Venice. 

It  is  probable  that  when  the  patricians  of  St. 
Mark  created  a  community  of  political  rights  in 
their  own  body,  they  believed  their  state  had  done 
all  that  was  necessary  to  merit  the  high  and  generous 
title  it  assumed.  They  had  innovated  on  a  generally 
received  principle,  and  they  cannot  claim  the  dis 
tinction  of  being  either  the  first,  or  the  last,  who 
have  imagined  that  to  take  the  incipient  steps  in  po 
litical  improvement,  is  at  once  to  reach  the  goal  of 
perfection.  Venice  had  no  doctrine  of  divine  right, 
and  as  her  prince  was  little  more  than  a  pageant, 
she  boldly  laid  claim  to  be  called  a  republic.  She 
believed  that  a  representation  of  the  most  prominent 
and  brilliant  interests  in  society  was  the  paramount 
object  of  government,  and,  faithful  to  the  seductive, 
but  dangerous,  error,  she  mistook  to  the  last,  collec 
tive  power  for  social  happiness. 

It  may  be  taken  as  a  governing  principle,  in  all 
civil  relations,  that  the  strong  will  grow  stronger, 
and  the  feeble  more  weak,  until  the  first  become  un 
fit  to  rule,  or  the  last  unable  to  endure.  In  this  im 
portant  truth  is  contained  the  secret  of  the  downfali 
of  all  those  states  which  have  crumbled  beneath  the 
weight  of  their  own  abuses.  It  teaches  the  necessity 
of  widening  the  foundations  of  society,  until  the  base 
shall  have  a  breadth  capable  of  securing  the  just 
representation  of  every  interest,  without  which  the 
social  machine  is  liable  to  interruption  from  its  own 
movement,  and  eventually  to  destruction  from  its 
own  excesses. 

Venice,  though  ambitious  and  tenacious  of  th* 


THE   BRAVO.  171 

name  of  a  republic,  was,  in  truth,  a  narrow,  a  vul 
gar,  and  an  exceedingly  heartless  oligarchy.  To  the 
former  title  she  had  no  other  claim  than  her  denial 
of  the  naked  principle  already  mentioned,  while  hei 
practice  is  liable  to  the  reproach  of  the  two  latter, 
in  the  unmanly  and  narrow  character  of  its  exclu 
sion,  in  every  act  of  her  foreign  policy,  and  in 
every  measure  of  her  internal  police.  An  aristocra 
cy  must  ever  want  the  high  personal  feeling  which 
often  tempers  despotism  by  the  qualities  of  the 
chief,  or  the  generous  and  human  impulses  of  a 
popular  rule.  It  has  the  merit  of  substituting  things 
for  men,  it  is  true,  but  unhappily  it  substitutes  the 
things  of  a  few  men  for  those  of  the  whole.  Jt  par 
takes,  and  it  always  has  partaken,  though  necessa 
rily  tempered  by  circumstances  and  the  opinions  of 
different  ages,  of  the  selfishness  of  all  corporations, 
in  which  the  responsibility  of  the  individual,  while 
his  acts  are  professedly  submitted  to  the  temporizing 
expedients  of  a  collective  interest,  is  lost  in  the  sub 
division  of  numbers.  At  the  period  of  which  we 
write,  Italy  had  several  of  these  self-styled  common 
wealths,  in  not  one  of  which,  however,  was  there 
ever  a  fair  and  just  confiding  of  power  to  the  body 
of  the  people,  though  perhaps  there  is  not  one  that 
has  not  been  cited,  sooner  or  later,  in  proof  of  the 
inability  of  man  to  govern  himself!  In  order  to 
demonstrate  the  fallacy  of  a  reasoning,  which  is  so 
fond  of  predicting  the  downfall  of  our  own  liberal  sys 
tem,  supported  by  examples  drawn  from  trans-atlan- 
tic  states  of  the  middle  ages,  it  is  necessary  only  to  re 
count  here,  a  little  in  detail,  the  forms  in  which  power 
was  obtained  and  exercised,  in  the  most  important 
of  them  all. 

Distinctions  in  rank,  as  separated  entirely  from 
the  will  of  the  nation,  formed  the  basis  of  Venetian 
polity.  Authority,  though  divided,  was  not  less  a 
birthright,  than  in  those  governments  in  which  it  was 


THE   BRAVO. 


openly  avowed  to  be  a  dispensation  of  Providence 
The  patrician  order  had  its  high  and  exclusive  priv 
ileges,  which  were  guarded  and  maintained  with  a 
most  selfish  and  engrossing  spirit.  He  who  was 
not  born  to  govern,  had  little  hope  of  ever  entering 
into  the  possession  of  his  natural  rights  ;  while  he 
who  was,  by  the  intervention  of  chance,-'  might 
wield  a  power  of  the  most  fearful  and  despotic 
character.  At  a  certain  age,  all  of  senatorial  rank 
(for,  by  a  specious  fallacy,  nobility  did  not  take  its 
usual  appellations)  were  admitted  into  the  councils 
of  the  nation.  The  names  of  the  leading  families 
were  inscribed  in  a  register,  which  was  well  entitled 
the  "  Golden  Book,"  and  he  who  enjoyed  the  envied 
distinction  of  having  an  ancestor  thus  enrolled, 
could,  with  a  few  exceptions  (such  as  that  named  in 
the  case  of  Don  Camillo),  present  himself  in  the 
senate,  and  lay  claim  to  the  honors  of  the  "  Horned 
Bonnet."  Neither  our  limits,  nor  our  object  will 
permit  a  digression  of  sufficient  length  to  point  out 
the  whole  of  the  leading  features  of  a  system  so  vi 
cious,  and  which  was,  perhaps,  only  rendered  tolera 
ble  to  those  it  governed,  by  the  extraneous  contri 
butions  of  captured  and  subsidiary  provinces,  o 
which,  in  truth,  as  in  all  cases  of  metropolitan  rule 
the  oppression  weighed  most  grievously.  The 
reader  will  at  once  see,  that  the  very  reason  why 
the  despotism  of  the  self-styled  republic  was  tolera 
ble  to  its  own  citizens,  was  but  another  cause  of  its 
eventual  destruction. 

As  the  senate  became  too  numerous  to  conduct, 
with  sufficient  secrecy  and  dispatch,  the  affairs  of  a 
state  that  pursued  a  policy  alike  tortuous  and  com 
plicated,  the  most  general  of  its  important  interests 
were  intrusted  to  a  council  composed  of  three  hun 
dred  of  its  members.  In  order  to  avoid  the  publicity 
and  delay  of  a  body  large  even  as  this,  a  second 
selection  was  made,  which  was  known  as  the  Coun- 


THE  BRAVO.  173 

cil  of  Ten,  and  to  which  much  of  the  executive 
Dower,  that  aristocratical  jealousy  withheld  from 
the  titular  chief  of  the  state,  was  confided.  To 
this  point  the  political  economy  of  the  Venetian  re 
public,  however  faulty,  had  at  least  some  merit  for 
simplicity  and  frankness.  The  ostensible  agents  of 
the  administration  were  known,  and  though  all  rea 
responsibility  to  the  nation  was  lost,  in  the  superioi 
influence  and  narrow  policy  of  the  patricians,  the 
rulers  could  not  entirely  escape  from  the  odium  that 
public  opinion  might  attach  to  their  unjust  or  illegal 
proceedings.  But  a  state,  whose  prosperity  was 
chiefly  founded  on  the  contribution  and  support  of 
dependants,  and  whose  existence  was  equally  men 
aced  by  its  own  false  principles,  and  by  the  growth 
of  other  and  neighboring  powers,  had  need  of  a  still 
more  efficient  body,  in  the  absence  of  that  executive 
which  its  own  republican  pretensions  denied  to 
Venice.  A  political  inquisition,  which  came  in 
time  to  be  one  of  the  most  fearful  engines  of  police 
ever  known,  was  the  consequence.  An  authority, 
as  irresponsible  as  it  was  absolute,  was  periodically 
confided  to  another  and  still  smaller  body,  which 
met  and  exercised  its  despotic  and  secret  functions, 
under  the  name  of  the  Council  of  Three.  The 
choice  of  these  temporary  rulers  was  decided  by 
lot,  and  in  a  manner  that  prevented  the  result  from 
being  known  to  any  but  to  their  own  number,  and 
to  a  few  of  the  most  confidential  of  the  more  per 
manent  officers  of  the  government.  Thus  there 
existed,  at  all  times,  in  the  heart  of  Venice,  a  mys 
terious  and  despotic  power,  that  was  wielded  by 
men  who  moved  in  society  unknown,  and  apparent 
ly  surrounded  by  all  the  ordinary  charities  of  life  • 
but  which,  in  truth,  was  influenced  by  a  set  of  polit 
ical  maxims,  that  were  perhaps  as  ruthless,  as  tyran 
nic,  and  as  selfish  as  ever  were  invented  by  the  evil 
.ngenuity  of  man.  It  was,  in  short,  a  power  that 


174  HE    BRAVO 

could  only  be  intrusted,  without  abuse,  to  infallibl* 
virtue  and  infinite  intelligence,  using  the  terms  in  a 
sense  limited  by  human  means  ;  and  yet  it  was  here 
confided  to  men,  whose  title  was  founded  on  the 
double  accident,  of  birth — and  the  colors  of  balls, 
and  by  whom  it  was'  wielded,  without  even  the 
check  of  publicity. 

The  Council  of  Three  met  in  secret,  ordinarily 
issued  its  decrees  without  communicating  with  any 
other  t)ody,  and  had  them  enforced  with  a  fearful- 
ness  of  mystery,  and  a  suddenness  of  execution, 
that  resembled  the  blows  of  fate.  The  doge  himself 
was  not  superior  to  its  authority,  nor  protected  from 
its  decisions,  while  it  has  been  known  that  one  of  the 
privileged  three  has  been  denounced  by  his  compan 
ions.  There  is  still  in  existence  a  long  list  of  the 
state  maxims  which  this  secret  tribunal  recognized 
as  its  rule  of  conduct,  and  it  is  not  saying  too  much 
to  affirm,  that  they  set  at  defiance  every  other  con 
sideration  but  expediency, — all  the  recognized  laws 
of  God,  and  every  principle  of  justice,  which  is  es 
teemed  among  men.  The  advances  of  the  human 
intellect,  supported  by  the  means  of  publicity,  may 
temper  the  exercise  of  a  similar  irresponsible  power, 
in  our  own  age,  but  in  no  country  has  this  substitu 
tion,  of  a  soulless  corporation  for  an  elective  repre 
sentation,  been  made,  in  which  a  system  of  rule  has 
not  been  established,  that  sets  at  naught  the  laws  of 
natural  justice  and  the  rights  of  the  citizen.  Any 
pretension  to  the  contrary,  by  placing  profession 
in  opposition  to  practice,  is  only  adding  hypocrisy 
to  usurpation. 

It  appears  to  be  an  unavoidable  general  conse 
quence  that  abuses  should  follow,  when  power  is  ex 
ercised  by  a  permanent  and  irresponsible  body, 
from  whom  there  is  no  appeal.  When  this  power 
is  secretly  exercised,  the  abuses  become  still  more 
grave.  It  is  also  worthy  of  remark,  that  in  the  na- 


THE  BRAVO.  175 

tions  which  submit,  or  have  submitted  to  these  un 
due  and  dangerous  influences,  the  pretensions  to 
justice  and  generosity  are  of  the  most  exaggerated 
character;  for  while  the  fearless  democrat  vents 
his  personal  complaints  aloud,  and  the  voice  of  the 
subject  of  professed  despotism  is  smothered  entirely 
necessity  itself  dictates  to  the  oligarchist  the  policy 
of  seemliness,  as  one  of  the  conditions  of  his  own 
safety.  Thus  Venice  prided  herself  on  the  justice 
of  St.  Mark,  and  few  states  maintained  a  greater 
show,  or  put  forth  a  more  lofty  claim  to  the  posses 
sion  of  the  sacred  quality,  than  that  whose  real 
maxims  of  government  were  veiled  in  a  mystery 
that  even  the  loose  morality  of  the  age  exacted. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

"  A  power  that  if  but  named 
In  casual  converse,  be  it  where  it  might, 
The  speaker  lowei'd,  at  once,  his  voice,  his  eyes, 
And  pointed  upward  as  at  God  in  heaven." 

ROGERS. 

THE  reader  has  probably  anticipated,  that  Anto 
nio  was  now  standing  in  an  antechamber  of  the 
secret  and  stern  tribunal,  described  in  the  preceding 
chapter.  In  common  with  all  of  his  class,  the  fish 
erman  had  a  vague  idea  of  the  existence,  and  of  the 
attributes,  of  the  council  before  which  he  was  to  ap 
pear;  but  his  simple  apprehension  was  far  from 
comprehending  the  extent,  or  the  nature,  of  func 
tions  that  equally  took  cognizance  of  the  most  im 
portant  interests  of  the  republic,  and  of  the  more 
trifling  concerns  of  a  patrician  family.  While  con 
jectures  on  the  probable  result  of  the  expected  in 
terview  were  passing  through  his  mind,  an  inne; 


176  THE   BRAVO. 

door  opened,  and  an  attendant  signed  for  Jacopo  i« 
advance. 

The  deep  and  imposing  silence  which  instantly 
succeeded  the  entrance  of  the  summoned  into  the 
presence  of  the  Council  of  Three,  gave  time  for  a 
slight  examination  of  the  apartment  and  of  those  it 
contained.  The  room  was  not  large  for  that  coun 
try  and  climate,  but  rather  of  a  size  suited  to  the 
closeness  of  the  councils  that  had  place  within  its 
walls.  The  floor  was  tessellated  with  alternate 
pieces  of  black  and  white  marble ;  the  walls  were 
draped  in  one  common  and  sombre  dress  of  black 
cloth;  a  single  lamp  of  dark  bronze  was  suspended 
over  a  solitary  table  in  its  centre,  which,  like  every 
other  article  of  the  scanty  furniture,  had  the  same 
melancholy  covering  as  the  walls.  In  the  angles  of 
the  room  there  were  projecting  closets,  which  might 
have  been  what  they  seemed,  or  merely  passages 
into  the  other  apartments  of  the  palace.  All  the 
doors  were  concealed  from  casual  observation  by 
the  hangings,  which  gave  one  general  and  chilling 
aspect  of  gloom  to  the  whole  scene.  On  the  side  of 
the  room  opposite  to  that  on  which  Antonio  stood, 
three  men  were  seated  in  curule  chairs ;  but  their 
masks,  and  the  drapery  which  concealed  their 
forms,  prevented  all  recognition  of  their  persons. 
One  of  this  powerful  body  wore  a  robe  of  crimson, 
as  the  representative  that  fortune  had  given  to  the 
select  council  of  the  doge,  and  the  others  robes  of 
black,  being  those  which  had  drawn  the  lucky,  or 
rather  the  unlucky  balls,  in  the  Council  of  Ten,  itself 
a  temporary  and  chance-created  body  of  the  senate. 
There  were  one  or  two  subordinates  near  the  table, 
but  tnese,  as  well  as  the  still  more  humble  officials 
of  the  place,  were  hid  from  all  ordinary  knowledge, 
by  disguises  similar  to  those  of  the  chiefs.  Jacopo 
regarded  the  scene  like  one  accustomed  to  its  effect 
though  with  evident  reverence  and  awe;  but  the 


THE  BRAVO  177 

impression  on  Antonio  was  too  manifest  to  be  lost. 
It  is  probable  that  the  long  pause  which  followed 
his  introduction,  was  intended  to  produce,  and  to 
note  this  effect,  for  keen  eyes  were  intently  watch 
ing  his  countenance  during  its  continuance. 

"  Thou  art  called  Antonio,  of  the  Lagunes?"  de 
manded  one  of  the  secretaries  near  the  table,  when 
a  sign  had  been  secretly  made  from  the  crimson 
member  of  that  fearful  tribunal,  to  proceed. 

"  A  poor  fisherman,  eccellenza,  who  owes  much 
to  blessed  Saint  Antonio  of  the  Miraculous  Draught." 
"  And  thou  hast  a  son  who  bears  thine  own  name, 
and  who  follows  the  same  pursuit?" 

"  It  is  the  duty  of  a  Christian  to  submit  to  the  will 
of  God !  My  boy  has  been  dead  twelve  years,  come 
the  day  when  the  republic's  galleys  chased  the  infi 
del  from  Corfu  to  Candia.  He  was  slain,  noble  Sig- 
nore  with  many  others  of  his  calling,  in  that  bloodv 
fight " 

There  was  a  movement  of  surprise  among  the 
clerks,  who  whispered  together,  and  appeared  to 
examine  the  papers  in  their  hands,  with  some  haste 
and  confusion.  Glances  were  sent  back  at  the 
judges,  who  sate  motionless,  wrapped  in  the  impen 
etrable  mystery  of  their  functions.  A  secret  sign, 
however,  soon  caused  the  armed  attendants  of  the 
place  to  lead  Antonio  and  his  companion  from  the 
room. 

"  Here  is  some  inadvertency ! "  said  a  stern  voice, 
from  one  of  the  masked  Three,  so  soon  as  the  fall 
of  the  footsteps  of  those  who  retired  was  no  longer 
audible.  "  It  is  not  seemly  that  the  inquisition  of  St. 
Mark  should  show  this  ignorance." 

"  It  touches  merely  the  family  of  an  obscure  fish 
erman,  illustrious  Signore,"  returned  the  trembling 
dependant ;  "  and  it  may  be  that  his  art  would  wish 
to  deceive  us  in  the  opening  interrogatories." 

'  Thou  art  in  error,"  interrupted  another  of  the 


178  THE   BRAVO. 

Three.  "  The  man  is  named  Antonio  Vecchio,  and 
as  he  sayeth,  his  only  child  died  in  the  hot  affair  with 
the  Ottoman.  He  of  whom  there  is  question,  is  a 
grandson,  and  is  still  a  boy." 

"  The  noble  Signore  is  right !"  returned  the  clerk 
— "  In  the  hurry  of  affairs,  we  have  misconceived 
a  fact,  which  the  wisdom  of  the  council  has  been 
quick  to  rectify.  St.  Mark  is  happy  in  having 
among  his  proudest  and  oldest  names,  senators  who 
enter  thus  familiarly  into  the  interests  of  his  meanest 
children !" 

"  Let  the  man  be  again  introduced,"  resumed  the 
judge,  slightly  bending  his  head  to  the  compliment. 
These  accidents  are  unavoidable  in  the  press  of  af 
fairs." 

The  necessary  order  was  given,  and  Antonio,  with 
his  companion  constantly  at  his  elbow,  was  brought 
once  more  into  the  presence. 

"  Thy  son  died  in  the  service  of  the  republic,  An 
tonio?"  demanded  the  secretary. 

"  Signore,  he  did.  Holy  Maria  have  pity  on  his 
early  fate,  and  listen  to  my  prayers !  So  good  a 
child  and  so  brave  a  man  can  have  no  great  need 
of  masses  for  his  soul,  or  his  death  would  have  been 
doubly  grievous  to  me,  since  I  am  too  poor  to  buy 
them." 

"  Thou  hast  a  grandson?" 

"  I  had  one,  noble  senator ;  I  hope  he  still  lives." 

"  He  is  not  with  thee  in  thy  labors  on  the  La- 
gunes?" 

"  San  Teodoro  grant  that  he  were !  he  is  taken, 
Signore,  with  many  more  of  tender  years,  into  the 
galleys,  whence  may  our  Lady  give  him  a  safe  de 
liverance  !  If  your  eccellenza  has  an  opportunity  to 
speak  with  the  general  of  the  galleys,  or  with  any 
other  who  may  have  authority  in  such  a  matter,  on 
my  knees,  I  pray  you  to  speak  in  behalf  of  the  child; 
who  is  a  good  and  pious  lad,  that  seldom  casts  a  line 


THE    BRAVO.  179 

jito  the  water,  without  an  ave  or  a  prayer  to  St. 
Anthony,  and  who  has  never  given  me  uneasiness, 
until  he  iell  into  the  grip  of  St.  Mark  " 

«  Rise — This  is  not  the  affair  in  which  I  have  to 
question  thee.  Thou  hast  this  day  spoken  of  thy 
prayer  to  our  most  illustrious  prince,  the  doge  ?" 

""l  have  prayed  his  highness  to  give  the  boy  lib 
erty." 

"  And  this  thou  hast  done  openly,  and  with  little 
deference  to  the  high  dignity  and  sacred  character 
of  the  chief  of  the  republic?" 

"  I  did  it  like  a  father  and  a  man.  If  but  half  what 
they  say  of  the  justice  and  kindness  of  the  state  were 
true,  his  highness  would  have  heard  me  as  a  father 
and  a  man." 

A  slight  movement  among  the  fearful  Three,  caus 
ed  the  secretary  to  pause  ;  when  he  saw,  however, 
that  his  superiors  chose  to  maintain  their  silence,  he 
continued — 

"  This  didst  thou  once  in  public  and  among  the 
senators,  but  when  repulsed,  as  urging  a  petition  both 
out  of  place  and  out  of  reason,  thou  soughtest  other 
to  prefer  thy  request?" 

"  True,  illustrious  Signore." 

"  Thou  earnest  among  the  gondoliers  of  the  regatta 
in  an  unseemly  garb,  and  placed  thyself  foremost 
with  those  who  contended  for  the  favor  of  the  senate 
and  its  prince?" 

"  I  came  in  the  garb  which  I  wear  before  the  Vir 
gin  and  St.  Antonio,  and  if  I  was  foremost  in  the  race, 
it  was  more  owing  to  the  goodness  and  favor  of  the 
man  at  my  side,  than  any  virtue  which  is  still  left  in 
these  withered  sinews  and  dried  bones.  San  Marco 
remember  him  in  his  need,  for  the  kind  wish,  and 
eoften  the  hearts  of  the  great  to  hear  the  prayer  of 
a  childless  parent !" 

There  was  another  slight  expression  of  surprise, 


180  THE  BRAVO. 

or  curiosity,  among  the  inquisitors,  and  once  mora 
the  secretary  suspended  his  examination. 

"  Thou  hearest,  Jacopo,"  said  one  of  the  Three. 
"  What  answer  dost  thou  make  the  fisherman '(" 

"  Signore,  he  speaketh  truth." 

"  And  thou  hast  dared  to  trifle  with  the  pleasures 
of  the  city,  and  to  set  at  naught  the  wishes  of  the 
doge!" 

"  If  it  be  a  crime,  illustrious  senator,  to  have  pitied 
an  old  man  who  mourned  for  his  offspring,  and  to 
have  given  up  my  own  solitary  triumph  to  his  love 
for  the  boy,  I  am  guilty." 

There  was  a  long  and  silent  pause  after  this  reply. 
Jacopo  had  spoken  with  habitual  reverence,  but  with 
the  grave  composure  that  appeared  to  enter  deeply 
into  the  composition  of  his  character.  The  pale 
ness  of  the  cheek  was  the  same,  and  the  glowing 
eye,  which  so  singularly  lighted  and  animated  a 
countenance  that  possessed  a  hue  not  unlike  that  of 
death,  scarce  varied  its  gaze,  while  he  answered. 
A  secret  sign  caused  the  secretary  to  proceed  with 
his  duty. 

"  And  thou  owest  thy  success  in  the  regatta,  An 
tonio,  to  the  favor  of  tLy  competitor — he  who  is  now 
with  thee,  in  the  presence  of  the  council  ?" 

"  Under  San  Teodoro  and  St.  Antonio,  the  city's 
patron  and  my  own." 

"  And  thy  whole  desire  was  to  urge  again  thy  re 
jected  petition  in  behalf  of  the  young  sailor  V9 

"  Signore,  I  had  no  other.  What  is  the  vanity 
of  a  triumph  among  the  gondoliers,  or  the  bauble 
of  a  mimic  oar  and  chain,  to  one  of  my  years  and 
condition?" 

"  Thou  forgettest  that  the  oar  and  chain  are 
gold?" 

"Excellent  gentlemen,  gold  cannot  heal  the  wounds 
which  misery  has  left  on  a  heavy  heart.  Give  me 
back  the  child,  that  my  eyes  may  not  be  closed  by 


THE   BRAv^O.  18) 

strangers,  and  that  I  may  speak  good  counsel  into 
his  young  ears,  while  there  is  hope  my  words  may  be 
remembered,  and  I  care  not  for  all  the  metals  of  the 
Kialto !  Thou  mayest  see  that  I  utter  no  vain 
vaunt,  by  this  jewel,  which  I  offer  to  the  nobles, 
with  the 'reverence  due  to  their  greatness  and  wis 
dom." 

When  the  fisherman  had  done  speaking,  he  ad 
vanced,  with  the  timid  step  of  a  man  unaccustomed 
to  move  in  superior  presences,  and  laid  upon  the 
dark  cloth  of  the  table  a  ring  that  sparkled  with, 
what  at  least  seemed  to  be,  very  precious  stones. 
The  astonished  secretary  raised  the  jewel,  and  held 
it  in  suspense  before  the  eyes  of  the  judges. 

"How  is  this?"  exclaimed  he  of  the  Three,  who 
had  oftenest  interfered  in  the  examination ;  "  that 
seemeth  the  pledge  of  our  nuptials  !" 

"  It  is  no  other,  illustrious  senator :  with  this  ring 
did  the  doge  wed  the  Adriatic,  in  the  presence  of  the 
ambassadors  and  the  people." 

"  Hadst  thou  aught  to  do  with  this,  also  Jacopo  ?" 
sternly  demanded  the  judge. 

The  Bravo  turned  his  eye  on  the  jewel  with  a  look 
of  interest,  but  his  voice  maintained  its  usual  depth 
and  steadiness  as  he  answered, 

"  Signore,  no — until  now,  I  knew  not  the  fortune 
of  the  fisherman." 

A  sign  to  the  secretary  caused  him  to  resume  his 
questions. 

"  Thou  must  account,  and  clearly  account,  Anto 
nio,"  he  said,  "  for  the  manner  in  which  this  sacred 
ring  came  into  thy  possession ;  hadst  thou  any  one 
to  aid  thee  in  obtaining  it?" 

"  Signore,  I  had." 

"  Name  him,  at  once,  that  we  take  measures  for 
his  security." 

"  'Twill  be  useless,  Signore  ;  he  is  far  above  the 
power  of  Venice." 

Q 


182  THE    BRAVO. 

"  What  meanest  thou,  fellow  1  None  are  superioi 
to  the  right  and  the  force  of  the  republic  that  dwel. 
within  her  limits.  Answer  without  evasion,  as  thou 
valuest  thy  person." 

"  I  should  prize  that  which  is  of  little  value,  Sig 
nore,  and  be  guilty  of  a  great  folly,  as  well  as  of  a 
great  sin,  were  I  to  deceive  you,  to  save  a  body  old 
and  worthless  as  mine  from  stripes.  I£  your  excel 
lencies  are  willing  to  hear,  you  will  find  that  I  am 
no  less  willing  to  tell  the  manner  in  which  I  got  the 
ring." 

"  Speak,  then,  and  trifle  not." 

"  I  know  not,  Signori,  whether  you  are  used  to 
hearing  untruths,  that  you  caution  me  so  much 
not  to  deal  with  them  ;  but  we  of  the  Lagunes  are 
not  afraid  to  say  what  we  have  seen  and  done,  for 
most  of  our  business  is  with  the  winds  and  waves, 
which  take  their  orders  from  God  himself.  There 
is  a  tradition,  Signori,  among  us  fishermen,  that  in 
times  past,  one  of  our  body  brought  up  from  the  bay, 
the  ring  with  which  the  doge  is  accustomed  to  mar 
ry  the  Adriatic.  A  jewel  of  that  value  was  of  little 
use  to  one  who  casts  his  nets  daily  for  bread  and  oil, 
and  he  brought  it  to  the  doge,  as  became  a  fisher 
man,  into  whose  hands  the  saints  had  thrown  a  prize 
to  which  he  had  no  title,  as  it  were  to  prove  his  hon 
esty.  This  act  of  our  companion  is  much  spoken 
of  on  the  Lagunes  and  at  the  Lido,  and  it  is  said 
there  is  a  noble  painting  done  by  some  of  our  Vene 
tian  masters,  in  the  halls  of  the  palace,  which  tells 
the  story  as  it  happened ;  showing  the  prince  on  his 
throne,  and  the  lucky  fisherman  with  his  naked  legs, 
rendering  back  to  his  highness  that  which  had  been 
lost.  I  hope  there  is  foundation  for  this  belief,  Sig 
nori,  which  greatly  flatters  our  pride,  and  is  not  with 
out  use  in  keeping  some  among  us  truer  to  the  right, 
and  better  favored  in  the  eyes  of  St.  Anthony,  than 
might  otherwise  be." 


THE   BRAVO.  183 

« The  fact  was  so." 

*  And  the  painting,  excellent  Signore  ?  I  hope  our 
vanity  has  not  deceived  us  concerning  the  picture, 
neither?" 

"  The  picture  you  mention  is  to  be  seen  within 
the  palace." 

"  Corpo  di  Bacco !  I  have  had  my  misgivings  on 
that  point,  for  it  is  not  common  that  the  rich  and  the 
happy  should  take  such  note  of  what  the  humble  and 
the  poor  have  done.  Is  the  work  from  the  hands  of 
the  great  Tiziano  himself,  eccellenza  ? " 

"  It  is  not ;  one  of  little  name  hath  put  his  pencil 
to  the  canvas." 

"  They  say  that  Tiziano  had  the  art  of  giving  to 
his  works  the  look  and  richness  of  flesh,  and  one 
would  think  that  a  just  man  might  find,  in  the  hones 
ty  of  the  poor  fisherman,  a  color  bright  enough  to 
have  satisfied  even  his  eye.  But  it  may  be  that  the 
senate  saw  danger  in  thus  flattering  us  of  the  La- 
gunes." 

"  Proceed  with  the  account  of  thine  own  fortune 
with  the  ring." 

"  Illustrious  nobles,  I  have  often  dreamed  of  the 
luck  of  my  fellow  of  the  old  times ;  and  more  than 
once  have  I  drawn  the  nets  with  an  eager  hand  in 
my  sleep,  thinking  to  find  that  very  jewel  entangled 
in  its  meshes,  or  embowelled  by  some  fish.  What  I 
have  so  often  fancied  has  at  last  happened.  I  am 
an  old  man,  Signori,  and  there  are  few  pools  or 
banks  between  Fusina  and  Giorgio,  that  my  lines  or 
my  nets  have  not  fathomed  or  covered.  The  spot 
to  which  the  Bucentoro  is  wont  to  steer  in  these  cer 
emonies  is  well  known  to  me,  and  I  had  a  care  to 
cover  the  bottom  round  about  with  all  my  nets  in 
the  hope  of  drawing  up  the  ring.  When  his  high 
ness  cast  the  jewel,  I  dropped  a  buoy  to  mark  the 
spot — Signori,  this  is  all — my  accomplice  was  St. 


spot — Signori, 
Anthony." 


184  THE    BRAVO. 

"  For  doing  this  you  had  a  motive  ? 

"  Holy  Mother  of  God !  Was  it  not  sufficient  to 
get  back  my  boy  from  the  gripe  of  the  galleys  V 
exclaimed  Antonio,  with  an  energy  and  a  simplicity 
that  are  oftan  found  to  be  in  the  same  character 
"I  thought  that  if  the  doge  and  the  senate  were 
willing  to  cause  pictures  to  be  painted,  and  honors 
to  be  given  to  one  poor  fisherman  for  the  ring,  they 
might  be  glad  to  reward  another,  by  releasing  a  lad 
who  can  be  of  no  great  service  to  the  republic,  but 
who  is  all  to  his  parent." 

"Thy  petition  to  his  highness,  thy  strife  in  the 
regatta,  and  thy  search  for  the  ring,  had  the  same 
object?" 

"  To  me,  Signore,  life  has  but  one." 

There  was  a  slight  but  suppressed  movement 
among  the  council. 

"  When  thy  request  was  refused  by  his  highness 
as  ill-timed — " 

"  Ah !  eccellenza,  when  one  has  a  white  head  and 
a  failing  arm,  he  cannot  stop  to  look  for  the  proper 
moment  in  such  a  cause !"  interrupted  the  fisherman, 
with  a  gleam  of  that  impetuosity  which  forms  the 
true  base  of  Italian  character. 

"  When  thy  request  was  denied,  and  thou  hadst 
refused  the  reward  of  the  victor,  thou  went  among 
thy  fellows  and  fed  their  ears  with  complaints  of  the 
injustice  of  St.  Mark,  and  of  the  senate's  tyranny?" 

"  Signore,  no.  I  went  away  sad  and  heart-broken, 
tor  I  had  not  thought  the  doge  and  nobles  would 
have  refused  a  successful  gondolier  so  light  a  boon." 

"And  this  thou  didst  not  hesitate  to  proclaim 
among  the  fishermen  and  idlers  of  the  Lido?" 

"  Eccellenza,  it  was  not  needed — my  fellows  knew 
my  unhappiness,  and  tongues  were  not  wanting  to 
tell  the  worst." 

"  There  was  a  tumult,  with  thee  at  its  head,  ami 
sedition  was  uttered,  with  much  vain-boasting  ol 


THE    BRAVO.  185 

what  the  fleet  of  the  Lagunes  could  perform  against 
the  fleet  of  the  republic." 

**  There  is  little  difference,  Signore,  between  the 
two,  except  that  the  men  of  the  one  go  in  gondolas 
with  nets,  and  the  men  of  the  other  are  in  the  gal 
leys  of  the  state.  Why  should  brothers  seek  each 
other's  blood  ?" 

The  movement  among  the  judges  was  more  mani 
fest  than  ever.  They  whispered  together,  and  a 
paper  containing  a  few  lines  written  rapidly  in 
pencil,  was  put  into  the  hands  of  the  examining 
secretary. 

"  Thou  didst  address  thy  fellows,  and  spoke  open 
ly  of  thy  fancied  wrongs ;  thou '  didst'  comment  on 
the  laws  which  require  the  services  of  the  citizens, 
when  the  republic  is  compelled  to  send  forth  a  fleet 
against  its  enemies." 

"  It  is  not  easy  to  be  silent,  Signore,  when  the 
heart  is  full." 

"  And  there  was  consultation  among  thee  of  com 
ing  to  the  palace  in  a  body,  and  of  asking  the  dis 
charge  of  thy  grandson  from  the  doge,  in  the  name 
of  the  rabble  of  the  Lido." 

"  Signore,  there  were  some  generous  enough  to 
make  the  offer,  but  others  were  of  advice  it  would 
be  well  to  reflect  before  they  took  so  bold  a  measure." 

"  And  thou — what  was  thine  own  counsel  on  that 
point?" 

"  Eccellenza,  I  am  old,  and  though  unused  to  be 
thus  questioned  by  illustrious  senators,  I  had  seen 
enough  of  the  manner  in  which  St.  Mark  governs, 
to  believe  a  few  unarmed  fishermen  and  gondoliers 
would  net  be  listened  to  with — " 

"  Ha !    Did  the  gondoliers  become  of  thy  party 
I  should  have  believed  them  jealous,  and  displeased 
with  the  triumph  of  one  who  was  not  of  their  body/ 

"  A  gondolier  is  a  man,  and  though  they  had  the 
feelings  of  human  nature  on  being  beaten,  they 
Q  2 


186  THE   BRAVO. 

also  the  feelings  of  human  nature  when  they  heard 
that  a  father  was  robbed  of  his  son. — Signore,"  con 
tinued  Antonio,  with  great  earnestness  and  a  singu 
lar  simplicity,  "  there  will  be  great  discontent  on 
the  canals,  if  the  galleys  sail  with  the  boy  aboard 
them!" 

"  Such  is  thy  opinion ; — were  the  gondoliers  on 
.he  Lido  numerous  1 " 

"  When  the  sports  ended,  eccellenza,  they  came 
over  by  hundreds,  and  I  will  do  the  generous  fel 
lows  the  justice  to  say,  that  they  had  forgotten  thei>-- 
want  of  luck  in  the  love  of  justice.  Diamine !  thes»j 
gondoliers  are  not  so  bad  a  class  as  some  pretend, 
but  they  are  men  like  ourselves,  and  can  feel  for  ;i 
Christian  as  well  as  another!" 

The  secretary  paused,  for  his  task  was  done ;  ami 
a  deep  silence  pervaded  the  gloomy  apartmem. 
After  a  short  pause  one  of  the  three  resumed — 

"  Antonio  Vecchio,"  he  said  "  thou  hast  serve*  I 
thyself  in  these  said  galleys,  to  which  thou  now 
seemest  so  averse — and  served  bravely,  as  I  learn  ?  ' 

"  Signore,  I  have  done  my  duty  by  St.  Mark.  t 
played  my  part  against  the  infidel,  but  it  was  afte  • 
my  beard  was  grown,  and  at  an  age  when  I  had 
learnt  to  know  good  from  evil.  There  is  no  duty 
more  cheerfully  performed  by  us  all,  than  to  defend 
the  islands  and  the  Lagunes  against  the  enemy." 

"  And  all  the  republic's  dominions, — Thou  canst 
make  no  distinctions  between  any  of  the  rights  of 
the  state." 

"  There  is  a  wisdom  granted  to  the  great,  which 
God  hath  denied  the  poor  and  the  weak,  Signore. 
To  me  it  does  not  seem  clear  that  Venice,  a  city 
built  on  a  few  islands,  hath  any  more  right  to  carry 
her  rule  into  Crete  or  Candia,  than  the  Turk  hath  t'i 
come  here." 

"  How !  Dost  thou  dare,  on  the  Lido,  to  question 
the  claim  of  the  republic  to  her  conquests !  or  do 


THE   BRAVO.  187 

the  irreverent  fishermen  dare  thus  to  speak  lightly 
of  her  glory ! " 

"  Eccellenza,  I  know  little  of  rights  that  come  by 
violence.  God  hath  given  us  the  Lagunes,  but  I 
know  not  that  he  has  given  us  more.  This  glory  of 
which  you  speak  may  sit  lightly  on  the  shoulder 
of  a  senator,  but  it  weighs  heavily  on  a  fisherman's 
heart." 

"  Thou  speakest,  bold  man,  of  that  which  thou 
dost  not  comprehend." 

"  It  is  unfortunate,  Signore,  that  the  power  to  un 
derstand  hath  not  been  given  to  those  who  have 
so  much  power  to  suffer." 

An  anxious  pause  succeeded  this  reply. 

"  Thou  mayest  withdraw,  Antonio,"  said  he,  who 
apparently  presided  in  the  dread  councils  of  the 
Three.  "  Thou  wilt  not  speak  of  what  has  happen 
ed,  and  thou  wilt  await  the  inevitable  justice  of  St. 
Mark,  in  full  confidence  of  its  execution." 

"  Thanks,  illustrious  senator ;  I  will  obey  your 
excellency ;  but  my  heart  is  full,  and  I  would  fain 
say  a  few  words  concerning  the  child,  before  I  quit 
this  noble  company." 

"  Thou  mayest  speak — and  here  thou  mayest  give 
free  vent  to  all  thy  wishes,  or  to  all  thy  griefs,  if  any 
thou  hast.  St.  Mark  has  no  greater  pleasure  than 
to  listen  to  the  wishes  of  his  children." 

"  I  believe  they  have  reviled  the  republic  in  call 
ing  its  chiefs  heartless,  and  sold  to  ambition ! "  said 
the  old  man,  with  generous  warmth,  disregarding 
the  stern  rebuke  which  gleamed  in  the  eye  of  Ja- 
copo.  "  A  senator  is  but  a  man,  and  there  are 
fathers  and  children  among  mem,  as  among  us  of 
the  Lagunes." 

"  Speak,  but  refrain  from  seditious  or  discredita 
ble  discourse,"  uttered  a  secretary,  in  a  half-whis 
per.  "  Proceed." 

"  I  have  little  now  to  offer,  Signori ;  I  am  riot 


188  THE    BRAVO. 

used  to  boast  of  my  services  to  the  state,  excellent 
gentlemen,  but  there  is  a  time  when  human  modesty 
must  give  way  to  human  nature.  These  scars  were 
got  in  one  of  the  proudest  days  of  St.  Mark,  and  in 
the  foremost  of  all  the  galleys  that  fought  among 
the  Greek  islands.  The  father  of  my  boy  wept  over 
me  then,  as  I  have  since  wept  over  his  own  son — 
yes — 1  might  be  ashamed  to  own  it  among  men 
but  if  the  truth  must  be  spoken,  the  loss  of  the  boy 
has  drawn  bitter  tears  from  me  in  the  darkness  of 
night,  and  in  the  solitude  of  the  Lagunes.  I  lay 
many  weeks,  Signori,  less  a  man  than  a  corpse,  and 
when  I  got  back  again  to  my  nets  and  my  toil,  I 
did  not  withhold  my  son  from  the  call  of  the  repub 
lic.  He  wrent  in  my  place  to  meet  the  infidel — a 
service  from  which  he  never  came  back.  This  was 
the  duty  of  men  who  had  grown  in  experience,  and 
who  were  not  to  be  deluded  into  wickedness  by  the 
evil  company  of  the  galleys.  But  this  calling  of 
children  into  the  snares  of  the  devil  grieves  a  father, 
and — I  will  own  the  weakness,  if  such  it  be — I  am 
not  of  a  courage  and  pride  to  send  forth  my  own 
flesh  and  blood  into  the  danger  and  corruption  of 
war  and  evil  society,  as  in  days  when  the  stoutness 
of  the  heart  was  like  the  stoutness  of  the  limbs. 
Give  me  back,  then,  my  boy,  till  he  has  seen  my  old 
head  laid  beneath  the  sands,  and  until,  b.y  the  aid  of 
blessed  St.  Anthony,  and  such  councils  as  a  poor 
man  can  offer,  I  may  give  him  more  steadiness  in 
his  love  of  the  right,  and  until  I  may  have  so  shaped 
his  life,  that  he  will  not  be  driven  about  by  every 
pleasant  or  treacherous  wind  that  may  happen  to 
blow  upon  his  bark.  Signori,  you  are  rich,  and 
powerful,  and  honored,  and  though  you  may  be 
placed  in  the  way  of  temptations  to  do  wrongs  that 
are  suited  to  your  high  names  and  illustrious  for- 
umes,  ye  know  little  of  the  trials  of  the  poor.  What 
are  the  temptations  of  the  blessed  St.  Anthony  him- 


THE  BRAVO.  189 

self,  to  those  of  the  evil  company  of  the  galleys ! 
And  now,  Signori,  though  you  may  be  angry  to 
hear  it,  I  will  say,  that  when  an  aged  man  has  no 
other  kin  on  earth,  or  none  so  near  as  to  feel  the 
glow  of  the  thin  blood  of  the  poor,  than  one  poor 
boy,  St.  Mark  would  do  well  to  remember  that  even 
a  fisherman  of  the  Lagunes  can  feel  as  well  as  the 
doge  on  his  throne.  This  much  I  say,  illustrious 
senators,  in  sorrow,  and  not  in  anger  ;  for  I  would 
get  back  the  child,  and  die  in  peace  with  my  supe 
riors,  as  with  my  equals." 

"  Thou  mayest  depart,"  said  one  of  the  Three. 

"  Not  yet,  Signore,  I  have  still  more  to  say  of 
Ihe  men  of  the  Lagunes,  who  speak  with  loud  voices, 
concerning  this  dragging  ol  boys  into  the  service  of 
ihe  galleys." 

"  We  will  hear  their  opinions." 

"  Noble  gentlemen,  if  I  were  to  utter  all  they  have 
said,  word  for  word,  I  might  do  some  disfavor  to 
your  ears !  Man  is  man,  though  the  Virgin  and  the 
saints  listen  to  his  aves  and  prayers  from  beneath  a 
jacket  of  serge  and  a  fisherman's  cap.  But  I  know 
too  well  my  duty  to  the  senate  to  speak  so  plainly. 
But,  Signori,  they  say,  saving  the  bluntness  of  their 
language,  that  St.  Mark  should  have  ears  for  the 
meanest  of  his  people  as  well  as  for  the  richest  no 
ble  ;  and  that  not  a  hair  should  fall  from  the  head 
of  a  fisherman,  without  its  being  counted  as  if  it 
were  a  lock  from  beneath  the  horned  bonnet ;  and 
that  where  God  hath  not  made  marks  of  his  displea 
sure,  man  should  not." 

"  Do  they  dare  to  reason  thus  ?" 

"  I  know  not  if  it  be  reason,  illustrious  Signore, 
but  it  is  what  they  say,  and,  eccellenza,  it  is  holy 
truth.  We  are  poor  workmen  of  the  Lagunes,  who 
rise  •with  the  day  to  cast  our  nets,  and  return  at 
night  to  hard  beds  and  harder  fare ;  but  with  this 
we  might  be  content,  did  the  senate  count  us  as 


190  THE   BRAVO. 

Christians  and  men.  That  God  hath  not  given  to  all 
the  same  chances  in  life,  I  well  know,  for  it  often  hap 
pens  that  I  draw  an  empty  net,  when  my  comrade? 
are  groaning  with  the  weight  of  their  draughts ;  but 
this  is  done  to  punish  my  sins,  or  to  humble  my 
heart,  whereas  it  exceeds  the  power  of  man  to  look 
into  the  secrets  of  the  soul,  or  to  foretell  the  evil  of 
the  still  innocent  child.  Blessed  St.  Anthony  knows 
how  many  years  of  suffering  this  visit  to  the  galleys 
may  cause  to  the  child  in  the  end.  Think  of  these 
things,  I  pray  you,  Signori,  and  send  men  of  tried 
principles  to  the  wars." 

"  Thou  mayest  retire,"  rejoined  the  judge. 

"  I  should  be  sorry  that  any  who  cometh  of  my 
blood,"  continued  the  inattentive  Antonio,  "  should 
be  the  cause  of  ill-will  between  them  that  rule  and 
them  that  are  born  to  obey.  But  nature  is  stionger 
even  than  the  law,  and  I  should  discredit  her  feel 
ings  were  I  to  go  without  speaking  as  becomes  a 
father.  Ye  have  taken  my  child  and  sent  him  to 
serve  the  state  at  the  hazard  of  body  and  soul,  with 
out  giving  opportunity  for  a  parting  kiss,  or  a  part 
ing  blessing — ye  have  used  my  flesh  and  blood  as 
ye  would  use  the  wood  of  the  arsenal,  and  sent  it 
forth  upon  the  sea  as  if  it  were  the  insensible  metal 
of  the  balls  ye  throw  against  the  infidel.  Ye  have 
shut  your  ears  to  my  prayers,  as  if  they  were  words 
uttered  by  the  wicked,  and  when  I  have  exhorted 
you  on  my  knees,  wearied  my  stiffened  limbs  to  do 
ye  pleasure,  rendered  ye  the  jewel  which  St.  Antho 
ny  gave  to  my  net,  that  it  might  soften  your  hearts, 
and  reasoned  with  you  calmly  on  the  nature  of  your 
acts,  you  turn  from  me  coldly,  as  if  I  were  unfit  to 
stand  forth  in  defence  of  the  offspring  that  God  hath 
left  my  age !  This  is  not  the  boasted  justice  of  St. 
Mark,  Venetian  senators,  but  hardness  of  heart  and 
a  wasting  of  the  means  of  the  poor,  that  would  ill 
become  the  most  grasping  Hebrew  of  the  Rialtoi" 


THE   BRAVO.  191 

"Hast  thou  aught  more  to  urge,  Antonio  ?"  asked 
he  judge,  with  the  wily  design  of  unmasking  the 
fisherman's  entire  soul. 

"  Is  it  not  enough,  Signore,  that  I  urge  my  years, 
my  poverty,  my  scars,  and  my  love  for  the  boy?  ] 
know  ye  not,  but  though  ye  are  hid  behind  the  folds 
of  your  robes  and  masks,  still  must  ye  be  men. 
There  may  be  among  ye  a  father,  or  perhaps  some 
one  who  hath  a  still  more  sacred  charge,  the  child 
of  a  dead  son.  To  him  I  speak.  In  vain  ye  talk  of 
justice  when  the  weight  of  your  power  falls  on  them 
least  able  to  bear  it;  and  though  ye  may  delude 
yourselves,  the  meanest  gondolier  of  the  canal 
knows — " 

He  wras  stopped  from  uttering  more  by  his  com 
panion,  who  rudely  placed  a  hand  on  his  mouth. 

"Why  hast  thou  presumed  to  stop  the  complaints 
of  Antonio?"  sternly  demanded  the  judge. 

"  It  was  not  decent,  illustrious  senators,  to  listen 
to  such  disrespect  in  so  noble  a  presence,"  Jacopo 
answered,  bending  reverently  as  he  spoke.  "  This 
old  fisherman,  dread  Signori,  is  warmed  by  love  for 
his  offspring,  and  he  will  utter  that  which,  in  his 
cooler  moments,  he  will  repent." 

"  St.  Mark  fears  not  the  truth !  If  he  has  more  to 
say,  let  him  declare  it." 

But  the  excited  Antonio  began  to  reflect.  The 
flush  which  had  ascended  to  his  weather-beaten 
cheek  disappeared,  and  his  naked  breast  ceased  to 
heave.  He  stood  like  one  rebuked,  more  by  his  dis 
cretion  than  his  conscience,  with  a  calmer  eye,  and 
a  face  that  exhibited  the  composure  of  his  years, 
and  the  respect  of  his  condition — 

"  If  I  have  offended,  great  patricians,"  he  said, 
more  mildly,  "  I  pray  you  to  forget  the  zeal  of  an 
ignorant  old  man,  whose  feelings  are  master  of  his 
breeding,  and  who  knows  less  how  to  render  the 
truth  agreeable  to  noble  ears,  than  to  utter  it." 


192  THE    BRAVO. 

"  Thou  mayest  depart." 

The  armed  attendants  advanced,  and,  obedient  to 
a  sign  from  the  secretary,  they  led  Antonio  and  his 
companion  through  the  door  by  which  they  had  en 
tered.  The  other  officials  of  the  place  followed, 
and  the  secret  judges  were  left  by  themselves  in  the 
chamber  of  doom. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

"  O !  the  days  that  we  have  seen." 

SHELTON. 

A  PAUSE  like  that  which  accompanies  self-contem 
plation,  and  perhaps  conscious  distrust  of  purpose, 
succeeded.  Then  the  Three  arose,  together,  and 
began  to  lay  aside  the  instruments  of  their  disguise. 
When  the  masks  were  removed,  they  exposed  the 
grave  visages  of  men  in  the  decline  of  life,  athwart 
which  worldly  cares  and  worldly  passions  had 
drawn  those  deep  lines,  which  no  subsequent  ease 
or  resignation  can  erase.  During  the  process  of 
unrobing  neither  spoke,  for  the  aflair,  on  which  they 
had  just  been  employed,  caused  novel  and  disagree 
able  sensations  to  them  all.  When  they  were  de 
livered  from  their  superfluous  garments  and  their 
masks,  however,  they  drew  near  the  table,  and  each 
sought  that  relief  for  his  limbs  and  person  which  was 
natural  to  the  long  restraint  he  had  undergone. 

"  There  are  letters  from  the  French  king  inter 
cepted,"  said  one,  after  time  had  permitted  them  to 
rally  their  thoughts ; — "  it  would  appear  they  treat 
of  the  new  intentions  of  the  emperor." 

"  Have  they  been  restored  to  the  ambassador  ?  or 


THE    BRAVO.  193 

Are  the  originals  to  go  before  the  senate  ?"  demand 
ed  another. 

"  On  that  \ve  must  take  counsel,  at  our  leisure.  I 
have  naught  else  to  communicate,  except  that  the 
order  given  to  intercept  the  messenger  of  the  Holy 
See  hath  failed  of  its  object." 

"  Of  this  the  secretaries  advertised  me.  We  must 
look  into  the  negligence  of  the  agents,  for  there  is 
good  reason  to  believe  much  useful  knowledge  would 
have  come  from  that  seizure." 

"  As  the  attempt  is  already  known  and  much  spo 
ken  of,  care  must  be  had  to  issue  orders  for  the  ar 
rest  of  the  robbers,  else  may  the  republic  fall  into 
disrepute  with  its  friends.  There  are  names  on  our 
list  which  might  be  readily  marked  for  punishment, 
for  that  quarter  of  our  patrimony  is  never  in  want  of 
proscribed,  to  conceal  an  accident  of  this  nature." 

"  Good  heed  will  be  had  to  this,  since,  as  you  say, 
the  affair  is  weighty.  The  government  or  the  indi 
vidual  that  is  negligent  of  reputation,  cannot  expect 
long  to  retain  the  respect  of  its  equals." 

"  The  ambition  of  the  House  of  Hapsburgh  robs 
me  of  my  sleep!"  exclaimed  the  other,  throwing 
aside  some  papers,  over  which  his  eye  had  glanced, 
in  disgust.  "  Holy  St.  Theodore !  what  a  scourge 
to  the  race  is  the  desire  to  augment  territories  and 
to  extend  an  unjust  rule,  beyond  the  boundaries  of 
reason  and  nature !  Here  have  we,  in  Venice,  been 
in  undisputed  possession  of  provinces  that  are  adapt 
ed  to  our  institutions,  convenient  to  our  wants,  and 
agreeable  to  our  desires,  for  ages ; — provinces  that 
were  gallantly  won  by  our  ancestors,  and  which 
cling  to  us  as  habits  linger  in  our  age :  and  yet  are 
they  become  objects  of  a  covetous  ambition  to  our 
neighbor,  under  a  vain  pretext  of  a  policy,  that  I 
fear  is  strengthened  by  our  increasing  weakness.  I 
sicken,  Signori,  of  my  esteem  for  men,  as  I  dive 
deeuer  into  their  tempers  and  desires,  and  often  wish 

R 


194  THE    BRAVO 

myself  a  dog,  as  I  study  their  propensities.  In  his 
appetite  for  power,  is  not  the  Austrian  the  most  rapa 
cious  of  all  the  princes  of  the  earth?" 

"  More  so,  think  you,  worthy  Signore,  than  the 
Castilian?  You  overlook  the  unsatiated  desire  of  the 
Spanish  king  to  extend  his  sway  in  Italy." 

"  Hapsburgh  or  Bourbon ;  Turk  or  Englishman 
they  all  seem  actuated  by  the  same  fell  appetite  for 
dominion ;  and  now  that  Venice  hath  no  more  to 
hope,  than  to  preserve  her  present  advantages,  the 
least  of  all  our  enjoyments  becomes  a  subject  of 
covetous  envy  to  our  enemies.  There  are  passions 
to  weary  one  of  an  interference  with  governments, 
and  to  send  him  to  his  cord  of  penitence  and  the 
cloisters !" 

"  I  never  listen  to  your  observations,  Signore. 
without  quitting  the  chamber  an  edified  man !  Truly 
this  desire  in  the  strangers  to  trespass  on  our  priv 
ileges,  and  it  may  be  well  said,  privileges  which 
have  been  gained  by  our  treasures  and  our  blood, 
becomes  more  manifest,  daily.  Should  it  not  be 
checked,  St.  Mark  will  be  stripped,  in  the  end,  of 
even  a  landing-place  for  a  gondola  on  the  main." 

"  The  leap  of  the  winged  lion  is  much  curtailed, 
excellent  Sir,  or  these  things  might  not  be !  It  is  no 
longer  in  our  power  to  persuade,  or  to  command,  as 
of  old,  and  our  canals  begin  to  be  encumbered  with 
slimy  weeds,  instead  of  well-freighted  argosies,  and 
swift-sailing  feluccas," 

"  The  Portuguese  hath  done  us  irretrievable  harm, 
for  without  his  African  discoveries,  we  might  yet 
have  retained  the  traffic  in  Indian  commodities.  I 
cordially  dislike  the  mongrel  race,  being,  as  it  is, 
half  Gothic  and  half  Moorish ! " 

"  I  trust  not  myself  to  think  of  their  origin  or  of 
their  deeds,  my  friends,  lest  prejudice  should  kindle 
feelings  unbecoming  a  man  and  a  Christian. — How 
now,  Signor  Gradenigo;  thou  art  thoughtful?" 


THE    BRAVO.  195 

The  third  member  of  the  secret  council,  who  had 
not  spoken  since  the  disappearance  of  the  accused, 
and  who  was  no  other  than  the  reader's  old  ac 
quaintance  of  the  name  just  mentioned,  slowly 
lifted  his  head,  from  a  meditative  position,  at  this 
address. 

"  The  examination  of  the  fisherman  hath  recalled 
scenes  of  my  boyhood,"  he  answered,  with  a  touch 
of  nature,  that  seldom  found  place  in  that  chamber. 

"  I  heard  thee  say,  he  was  thy  foster-brother,"  re 
turned  the  other,  struggling  to  conceal  a  gape. 

"  We  drank  of  the  same  milk,  and,  for  the  first 
years  of  life,  we  sported  at  the  same  games." 

"  These  imaginary  kindred  often  give  great  un 
easiness.  I  am  glad  your  trouble  hath  no  other 
source,  for  I  had  heard  that  the  young  heir  of  your 
house  hath  shown  a  prodigal  disposition  of  late,  and 
I  feared  that  matter  might  have  come  to  your  know 
ledge,  as  one  of  the  council,  that  a  father  might  not 
wish  to  learn." 

The  selfish  features  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo,  in 
stantly  underwent  a  change.  He  glanced  curiously, 
and  with  a  strong  distrust,  but  in  a  covert  manner, 
at  the  fallen  eyes  of  his  two  companions,  anxious 
to  penetrate  their  secret  thoughts  ere  he  ventured  to 
expose  his  own. 

"Is  there  aught  of  complaint  against  the  youth?" 
he  demanded,  in  a  voice  of  hesitation.  "  You  un 
derstand  a  father's  interest,  and  will  not  conceal  the 
truth." 

"  Signore,  you  know  that  the  agents  of  the  police 
are  active,  and  little  that  comes  to  their  knowledge 
fails  to  reach  the  ears  of  the  council.  But,  at  the 
worst,  the  matter  is  not  of  life  or  death.  It  can 
only  cost  the  inconsiderate  young  man  a  visit  to 
Dalmatia,  or  an  order  to  waste  the  summer  at  the 
foot  of  the  Alps." 


196  THE  BRAVO 

"  Youth  is  the  season  of  indiscretion,  as  ye  know 
Signori,"  returned  the  father,  breathing  more  freely, 
"  and  as  none  become  old  that  have  not  been  young, 
I  have  little  need  to  awaken  your  recollection  of  its 
weaknesses.  I  trust  my  son  is  incapable  of  design 
ing  aught  against  the  republic?" 

"  Of  that  he  is  not  suspected."  A  slight  expres 
sion  of  irony  crossed  the  features  of  ibe  old  senator, 
as  he  spoke.  "  But  he  is  represented  as  aiming  too 
freely  at  the  person  and  wealth  of  your  ward ;  and 
that  she,  who  is  the  especial  care  of  St.  Mark,  is  not 
to  be  solicited  without  the  consent  of  the  senate,  is 
an  usage  well  known  to  one  of  its  most  ancient  and 
most  honorable  members." 

"  Such  is  the  law,  and  none  coming  of  me  shall 
show  it  disrespect.  I  have  preferred  my  claims  to 
that  connexio/i,  openly,  but  with  diffidence ;  and  I 
await  the  decision  of  the  state,  in  respectful  confi 
dence." 

His  associates  bowed  in  courteous  acknowledg 
ment  of  the  justice  of  what  he  said,  and  of  the 
loyalty  of  his  conduct,  but  it  was  in  the  manner  of 
men  too" long  accustomed  to  duplicity,  to  be  easily 
duped. 

"None  doubt  it,  worthy  Signor  Gradenigo,  for 
thy  faith  to  the  state  is  ever  quoted  as  a  model  for 
the  young,  and  as  a  subject  for  the  approbation  of 
the  more  experienced.  Hast  thou  any  communica 
tions  to  make  on  the  interest  of  the  young  heiress, 
thyself?" 

"  I  am  pained  to  say,  that  the  deep  obligation  con 
ferred   by  Don  Camillo  Monforte,  seems  to  have 
wrought  upon  her  youthful  imagination,  and  I  appre 
hend   that,   in   disposing   of   my  ward,   the    state 
will  have  to  contend  with  the  caprice  of  a  female 
mind.     The  waywardness   of   that  age  will  gi**e 
more  trouble,  than  the  conduct  of  far  graver  ma* 
ters." 


THE  BRAVO.  19T 

"  Is  the  lady  attended  by  suitable  companions,  in 
her  daily  life  ?" 

"  Her  companions  are  known  to  the  Senate.  In 
so  grave  an  interest,  I  would  not  act  without  their  au 
thority  and  sanction.  But  the  affair  hath  great  need 
of  delicacy  in  its  government.  The  circumstance 
that  so  much  of  my  ward's  fortune  lies  in  the  states 
of  the  church,  renders  it  necessary  to  await  the 
proper  moment  for  disposing  of  her  rights,  and  of 
transferring  their  substance  within  the  limits  of  the 
republic,  before  we  proceed  to  any  act  of  decision. 
Once  assured  of  her  wealth,  she  may  be  disposed  of, 
as  seemeth  best  to  the  welfare  of  the  state,  without 
further  delay." 

"  The  lady  hath  a  lineage  and  riches,  and  an  ex 
cellence  of  person,  that  might  render  her  of  great 
account  in  some  of  these  knotty  negotiations,  which 
so  much  fetter  our  movements  of  late.  The  time 
hath  been,  when  a  daughter  of  Venice,  not  more 
fair,  was  wooed  to  the  bed  of  a  sovereign." 

"  Signore,  those  days  of  glory  and  greatness  exist 
no  longer.  Should  it  be  thought  expedient  to  over 
look  the  natural  claims  of  my  son,  and  to  bestow  my 
ward  to  the  advantage  of 'the  republic,  the  most 
that  can  be  expected  through  her  means,  is  a  favora 
ble  concession  in  some  future  treaty,  or  a  new  prop 
to  some  of  the  many  decaying  interests  of  the  city. 
In  this  particular,  she  may  be  rendered  of  as  much, 
or  even  of  more  use,  than  the  oldest  and  wisest  of 
our  body.  But  that  her  will  may  be  free,  and  the 
child  may  have  no  obstacles  to  her  happiness,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  make  a  speedy  determination 
of  the  claim  preferred  by  Don  Camillo.  Can  we  do 
better  than  to  recommend  a  compromise,  that  he 
may  return  without  delay  to  his  own  Calabria?" 

"  The  concern  is  weighty,  and  it  demands  delibe 
ration." 

"  He  complains  of  our  tardiness  already,  and  not 
R2 


198  THE  BRAVO. 

without  show  of  reason.     It  is  five  years  since  the 
claim  was  first  preferred." 

"  Signor  Gradenigo,  it  is  for  the  vigorous  and 
healthful  to  display  their  activity,  the  aged  and  the 
tottering  must  move  with  caution.  Were  we,  in 
Venice,  to  betray  precipitation  in  so  weighty  a  con 
era,  without  seeing  an  immediate  interest  in  the 
judgment,  we  should  trifle  with  a  gale  of  fortune  that 
every  sirocco  will  not  blow  into  the  canals.  We 
must  have  terms  with  the  lord  of  Sant  Agata,  or  we 
greatly  slight  our  own  advantage." 

"  I  hinted  of  the  matter  to  your  excellencies,  as  a 
consideration  for  your  wisdom  ;  methinks  it  will  be 
something  gained  to  remove  one  so  dangerous,  from 
the  recollection,  and  from  before  the  eyes,  of  a  love 
sick  maiden." 

"  Is  the  damsel  so  amorous  ? " 

"  She  is  of  Italy,  Signore,  and  our  sun  bestows 
warm  fancies  and  fervent  minds." 

"Let  her  to  the  confessional  and  her  prayers! 
The  godly  prior  of  St.  Mark  will  discipline  her  im 
agination,  till  she  shall  conceit  the  Neapolitan  a 
Moor,  and  an  infidel.  Just  San  Teodoro,  forgive 
me!  But  thou  canst  remember  the  time,  my 
friends,  when  the  penance  of  the  church  was  not 
without  service,  on  thine  own  fickle  tastes  and  tru 
ant  practices." 

"The  Signore  Gradenigo  was  a  gallant  in  his 
time,"  observed  the  third,  "  as  all  well  know  who 
travelled  in  his  company.  Thou  wert  much  spoken 
of  at  Versailles  and  at  Vienna, — nay,  thou  canst  not 
deny  thy  vogue  to  one  who,  if  he  hath  no  other  merit, 
hath  a  memory." 

"  I  protest  against  these  false  recollections,"  re 
joined  the  accused,  a  witnered  smile  lighting  his 
faded  countenance ;  "  we  have  been  young,  Signori ; 
but  among  us  all,  I  never  knew  a  Venetian  of  more 
genera]  fashion  and  of  better  report,  especially 


THE   BRAVO.  i99 

with  the  dames  of  France,  than  he  who  has  just 
spoken." 

"  Account  it  not — account  it  not — '  twas  the  weak 
ness  of  youth  and  the  use  of  the  times  ! 1  remem 
ber  to  have  seen  thee,  Enrico,  at  Madrid,  and  a  gayer 
or  more  accomplished  gentleman  was  not  known  at 
the  Spanish  court." 

"  Thy  friendship  blinded  thee — I  was  a  boy  and 
full  of  spirits ;  no  more,  I  may  assure  thee.  Didst 
hear  of  my  affair  with  the  mosquetaire,  when  at 
Paris?" 

"  Did  I  hear  of  the  general  war  ? — Thou  art  too 
modest,  to  raise  this  doubt  of  a  meeting  that  occu 
pied  the  coteries  for  a  month,  as  it  had  been  a  vic 
tory  of  the  powers !  Signor  Gradenigo,  it  was  a 
pleasure  to  call  him  countryman  at  that  time,  for  1 
do  assure  thee,  a  sprightlier  or  a  more  gallant  gen 
tleman  did  not  walk  the  terrace." 

"Thou  tellest  me  of  what  my  own  eyes  have 
been  a  witness.  Did  I  not  arrive  when  men's  voices 
spoke  of  nothing  else? — A  beautiful  court  and  a 
pleasant  capital  were  those  of  France  in  our  day, 
Signori." 

"  None  pleasanter,  or  of  greater  freedom  of  inter 
course.— St.  Mark  aid  me  with  his  prayers  !  The 
many  pleasant  hours  that  I  have  passed  between  the 
Marais  and  the  Chateau !  Didst  ever  meet  La  Com- 
tesse  de  Mignon  in  the  gardens'?" 

"  Zitto — thou  growest  loquacious,  caro  ;  nay,  she 
wanted  not  for  grace  and  affability,  that  I  will  say. 
In  what  a  manner  they  played  in  the  houses  of  re 
sort,  at  that  time!" 

"  I  know  it  to  my  cost.  Will  you  lend  me  your 
belief,  dear  friends  ?  I  arose  from  the  table  of  La 

Belle  Duchesse  de ,  the  loser  of  a  thousand 

sequins,  and  to  this  hour  it  seemeth  but  a  moment 
that  I  was  occupied." 

"  I  remember  the  evening. — Thou  wert  seated  be- 


200  THE    BRAVO. 

tween  the  wife  of  the  Spanish  ambassador,  and  a 
miladi  of  England.  Thou  wert  playing  at  rouge-et- 
noir,  in  more  ways  than  one,  for  thy  eyes  were 
on  thy  neighbors  instead  of  thy  cards — Giulio,  I 
would"  have  paid  half  the  loss,  to  have  read  the 
next  epistle  of  the  worthy  senator  thy  father  !" 

"  He  never  knew  it — he  never  knew  it — we  had 
our  friends  on  the  Rialto,  and  the  account  was  set 
tled  a  few  years  later.  Thou  wast  wrell  with  Ninon, 
Enrico?" 

"  A  companion  of  her  leisure,  and  one  who  bask 
ed  in  the  sunshine  of  her  wit." 

"  Nay,  they  said  thou  wert  of  more  favor — " 

"  Mere  gossip  of  the  salons.  I  do  protest,  gentle 
men, — not  that  others  were  better  received — but 
idle  tongues  will  have  their  discourse!" 

"  Wert  thou  of  the  party,  Alessandro,  that  went 
in  a  fit  of  gaiety  from  country  to  country,  till  it 
numbered  ten  courts  at  which  it  appeared  in  as 
many  weeks'?" 

"  Was  I  not  its  mover  ?  What  a  memory  art  thou 
getting !  'Twas  for  a  hundred  golden  louis,  and  it 
was  bravely  won  by  an  hour.  A  postponement  of 
the  reception  by  the  elector  of  Bavaria,  went  near 
to  defeat  us,  but  we  bribed  the  groom  of  the  cham 
bers,  as  thou  mayest  remember,  and  got  into  the 
presence  as  it  were  by  accident." 

"  Was  that  held  to  be  sufficient  ?" 

"  That  was  it,  for  our  terms  mentioned  the  condi 
tion  of  holding  discourse  with  ten  sovereigns,  in  as 
many  weeks,  in  their  own  palaces.  Oh  !  it  was  fair 
ly  won ;  and  I  believe  I  may  say  that  it  was  as 
gaily  expended!" 

"  For  the  latter  will  I  vouch,  since  I  never  quitted 
thee  while  a  piece  of  it  all  remained.  There  are 
divers  means  of  dispensing  gold  in  those  nortnern 
capitals,  and  the  task  was  quickly  accomplished 


THE   BRAVO.  201 

They  are  pleasant  countries  for  a  few  years  of 
youth  and  idleness!" 

"  It  is  a  pity  that  their  climates  are  so  rude." 

A  slight  and  general  shudder  expressed  theii 
Italian  sympathy,  but  the  discourse  did  not  the  less 
proceed. 

"  They  might  have  a  better  sun,  and  a  clearer 
sky,  but  there  is  excellent  cheer,  and  no  want  of 
hospitality,"  observed  the  Signer  Gradenigo,  who 
maintained  his  full  share  of  the  dialogue,  though  we 
have  not  found  it  necessary  to  separate  sentiments 
that  were  so  common  among  the  different  speakers. 
"'  I  have  seen  pleasant  hours  even  with  the  Genoese, 
though  their  town  hath  a  cast  of  reflection  and  so 
briety,  that  is  not  always  suited  to  the  dispositions 
of  youth." 

"Nay,  Stockholm  and  Copenhagen  have  their 
pleasures  too,  I  do  assure  thee.  I  passed  a  season 
oetween  them.  Your  Dane  is  a  good  joker  and  a 
liearty  bottle  companion." 

"  In  that  the  Englishman  surpasseth  all !  If  I 
were  to  relate  their  powers  of  living  in  this  manner, 
dear  friends,  ye  would  discredit  me.  That  which  I 
have  seen  often,  seemeth  impossible  even  to  myself. 
5Tis  a  gloomy  abode,  and  one  that  we  of  Italy  little 
like,  in  common." 

"Name  it  not  in  comparison  with  Holland — wert 
ever  in  Holland,  friends  ? — didst  ever  enjoy  the  fash 
ion  of  Amsterdam  and  the  Hague  1  I  remember  to 
have  heard  a  young  Roman  urge  a  friend  to  pass  a 
winter  there ;  for  the  witty  rogue  termed  it,  the 
beau  ideal  of  the  land  of  petticoats ! " 

The  three  old  Italians,  in  whom  this  sally  excited 
a  multitude  of  absurd  recollections  and  pleasant 
fancies,  broke  out  into  a  general  and  hearty  fit  of 
laughter.  The  sound  of  their  cracked  merriment, 
echoing  in  that  gloomy  and  solemn  room,  suddenly 
recalled  them  to  the  recollection  of  their  duties 


202  THE  BRAVO. 

Each  listened  an  instant,  as  if  in  expectation  that 
some  extraordinary  consequence  was  to  follow  so 
extraordinary  an  interruption  of  the  usual  silence 
of  the  place,  like  a  child  whose  truant  propensities 
were  about  to  draw  detection  on  his  offence, — and 
then  the  principal  of  the  council  furtively  wiped 
the  tears  from  his  eyes,  and  resumed  his  gravity. 

"  Signori,"  he  said,  fumbling  in  a  bundle  of  papers. 
"  we  must  take  up  the  matter  of  the  fisherman — but 
we  will  first  inquire  into  the  circumstance  of  the 
signet  left,  the  past  night,  in  the  lion's  mouth.  Sig- 
nor  Gradenigo,  you  were  charged  with  the  examina 
tion." 

"  The  duty  hath  been  executed,  noble  Sirs,  and 
with  a  success  I  had  not  hoped  to  meet  with. 
Haste,  at  our  last  meeting,  prevented  a  perusal  of 
the  paper  to  which  it  was  attached,  but  it  will  now 
be  seen  that  the  two  have  a  connexion.  Here  is  an 
accusation  which  charges  Don  Camillo  Monforte 
with  a  design  to  bear  away,  beyond  the  power  of 
the  senate,  the  Donna  Violetta,  my  ward,  in  order 
to  possess  her  person  and  riches.  It  speaketh 
of  proofs  in  possession  of  the  accuser,  as  if  he 
were  an  agent  intrusted  by  the  Neapolitan.  As  a 
pledge  of  his  truth,  I  suppose,  for  there  is  no  men- 
tion  made  of  any  other  use,  he  sends  the  signet  of 
Don  Camillo  himself,  which  cannot  have  been  ob 
tained  without  that  noble's  confidence." 

"  Is  it  certain  that  he  owns  the  ring  ?  " 

"  Of  that  am  I  well  assured.  You  know  I  am 
especially  charged  with  conducting  his  personal  de 
mand  with  the  senate,  and  frequent  interviews  have 
given  me  opportunity  to  note  that  he  was  wont  to 
wear  a  signet,  which  is  now  wanting.  My  jeweller 
of  the  Rialto  hath  sufficiently  identified  this,  as 
the  missing  rin^." 

"  Thus  far  it  is  clear,  though  there  is  an  obscurity 
in  the  circumstance  that  the  signet  of  the  accused 


THE    BRAVO.  203 

should  be  found  with  the  accusation,  which,  being 
unexplained,  renders  the  charge  vague  and  uncer 
tain.  Have  you  any  clue  to  the  writing,  or  any 
means  of  knowing  whence  it  comes?" 

There  was  a  small  but  nearly  imperceptible  red 
spot  on  the  cheek  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo,  that  did 
not  escape  the  keen  distrust  of  his  companions  ;  but 
he  concealed  his  alarm,  answering  distinctly  that  he 
had  none. 

"  We  must  then  defer  a  decision  for  further  proof. 
The  justice  of  St.  Mark  hath  been  too  much  vaunt 
ed  to  endanger  its  reputation  by  a  hasty  decree,  in  a 
question  which  so  closely  touches  the  interest  of  a 
powerful  noble  of  Italy.  Don  Camillo  Monforte 
hath  a  name  of  distinction,  and  counteth  too  many 
of  note  among  his  kindred,  to  be  dealt  with  as  we 
might  dispose  of  a  gondolier,  or  the  messenger  of 
some  foreign  state." 

"  As  respects  him,  Signorc,  you  are  undoubtedly 
right.  But  may  we  not  endanger  our  heiress  by 
too  much  tenderness?" 

"  There  are  many  convents  in  Venice,  Signore." 

"  The  monastic  life  is  ill  suited  to  the  temper  of 
my  ward,"  the  Signor  Gradenigo  drily  observed, 
"  and  I  fear  to  hazard  the  experiment ;  gold  is  a  key 
to  unlock  the  strongest  cell ;  besides,  we  cannot  with 
due  observance  of  propriety  place  a  child  of  the 
state  in  durance." 

"  Signor  Gradenigo,  we  have  had  this  matter  un 
der  long  and  grave  consideration,  and  agreeably  to 
our  laws,  when  one  of  our  number  hath  a  palpable 
interest  in  the  affair,  we  have  taken  counsel  of  his 
highness,  who  is  of  accord  with  us  in  sentiment 
Your  personal  interest  in  the  lady  might  have  warp 
ed  your  usually  excellent  judgment ;  else,  be  assured 
we  should  have  summoned  you  to  the  conference."- 

The  old  senator,  who  thus  unexpectedly  found 
himself  excluded  from  consultation,  on  the  very 


204  THE    BRAVO. 

matter,  that,  of  all  others,  made  him  most  value  his 
temporary  authority,  stood  abashed  and  silent — read 
ing  in  his  countenance,  however,  a  desire  to  know 
more,  his  associates  proceeded  to  communicate  all 
it  was  their  intention  he  should  hear. 

"  It  hath  been  determined  to  remove  the  lady  to  a 
suitable  retirement,  and  for  this  purpose  care  hath 
been  already  had  to  provide  the  means.  Thou  wil\ 
be  temporarily  relieved  of  a  most  grievous  charge, 
which  cannot  but  have  worked  heavily  on  thy  spirits, 
and,  in  other  particulars,  have  lessened  thy  much- 
valued  usefulness  to  the  republic." 

This  unexpected  communication  was  made  with 
marked  courtesy  of  manner;  but  with  an  emphasis 
and  tone,  that  sufficiently  acquainted  the  Signor 
Gradenigo  with  the  nature  of  the  suspicions  that  beset 
him.  He  had  too  long  been  familiar  with  the  sinu 
ous  policy  of  the  council,  in  which,  at  intervals,  he 
had  so  often  sat,  not  to  understand  that  he  would 
run  the  risk  of  a  more  serious  accusation  were  he 
to  hesitate  in  acknowledging  its  justice.  Teaching 
his  features,  therefore,  to  wear  a  smile  as  treacher 
ous  as  that  of  his  wily  companion,  he  answered  with 
seeming  gratitude. 

"  His  highness  and  you,  my  excellent  colleagues, 
have  taken  counsel  of  your  good  wishes  and  kind 
ness  of  heart,  rather  than  of  the  duty  of  a  poor  sub 
ject  of  St.  Mark,  to  toil  on  in  his  service  while  he 
hath  strength  and  reason  for  the  task,"  he  said. 
"  The  management  of  a  capricious  female  mind  is 
a  concern  of  no  light  moment,  and  while  I  thank 
you  for  this  consideration  of  my  case,  you  will  per 
mit  me  to  express  my  readiness  to  resume  the 
charge  whenever  it  shall  please  the  state  again  to 
confer  it." 

"  Of  this  none  are  more  persuaded  than  we,  nor 
are  any  better  satisfied  of  your  ability  to  discharge 
the  trust  faithfully.  .  But  you  enter,  Signore,  into  all 


THE    BRAVO.  205 

pur  motives,  and  will  join  us  in  the  opinion,  that  it  is 
equally  unbecoming  the  republic,  and  one  of  its  most 
illustrious  citizens,  to  leave  a  ward  of  the  former  in 
a  position  that  shall  subject  the  latter  to  unmerited 
censure.  Believe  me,  we  have  thought  less  of  Venice 
in  this  matter,  than  of  the  honor  and  the  interests  of 
the  house  of  Gradenigo ;  for,  should  this  Neapolitan 
thwart  our  views,  you  of  us  all  would  be  most  liable 
to  be  disapproved  of." 

"  A  thousand  thanks,  excellent  Sir,"  returned  the 
deposed  guardian.  "  You  have  taken  a  load  from 
my  mind,  and  restored  some  of  the  freshness  and 
elasticity  of  youth !  The  claim  of  Don  Camillo  now 
is  no  longer  urgent,  since  it  is  your  pleasure  to  re 
move  the  lady,  for  a  season,  from  the  city." 

"  'Twere  better  to  hold  it  in  deeper  suspense,  if  it 
were  only  to  occupy  his  mind.  Keep  up  thy  com 
munications,  as  of  wont,  and  withhold  not  hope, 
which  is  a  powerful  exciter  in  minds  that  are  not 
deadened  by  experience.  We  shall  not  conceal  from 
one  of  our  number,  that  a  negotiation  is  already 
near  a  termination,  which  wall  relieve  the  state  from 
the  care  of  the  damsel,  and  at  some  benefit  to  the 
republic.  Her  estates  lying  without  our  limits  great 
ly  facilitate  the  treaty,  which  hath  only  been  with 
held  from  your  knowledge,  by  the  consideration,  that 
of  late,  we  have  rather  too  much  overloaded  thee 
with  affairs." 

Again  the  Signer  Gradenigo  bowed  submissively, 
and  with  apparent  joy.  He  saw  that  his  secret  de 
sign  had  been  penetrated,  notwithstanding  all  his 
practised  duplicity  and  specious  candor;  and  he 
submitted  with  that  species  of  desperate  resignation, 
-which  becomes  a  habit,  if  not  a  virtue,  in  men  long 
accustomed  to  be  governed  despotically.  When 
this  delicate  subject,  which  required  the  utmost 
finesse  of  Venetian  policy,  since  it  involved  the  in 
terests  of  one,  who  happened,  at  the  moment,  to  be 
S 


206  THE    BRAVO. 

in  the  dreaded  council  itself,  was  disposed  of,  the 
three  turned  their  attention  to  other  matters,  with 
that  semblance  of  indifference  to  personal  feeling, 
which  practice  in  tortuous  paths  of  state-intrigue 
enabled  men  to  assume. 

"  Since  we  are  so  happily  of  opinion,  concerning 
the  disposition  of  the  Donna  Violetta,"  coolly  ob 
served  the  oldest  senator,  a  rare  specimen  of  hack 
neyed  and  worldly  morality,  "  we  may  look  into  our 
list  of  daily  duties — what  saith  the  lion's  mouths  to 
night?" 

'"  A  few  of  the  ordinary  and  unmeaning  accusa 
tions  that  spring  from  personal  hatred,"  returned 
another.  "  One  chargeth  his  neighbor  with  oversight 
in  religious  duties,  and  with  some  carelessness  of 
the  fasts  of  Holy  Church — a  foolish  scandal,  fitted 
for  the  ears  of  a  curate." 

"  Is  there  naught  else?" 

"Another  complaineth  of  neglect  in  a  husband. 
The  scrawl  is  in  a  woman's  hand,  and  beareth,  on 
its  face,  the  evidence  of  a  woman's  resentment." 

"  Sudden  to  rise  and  easy  to  be  appeased.  Let 
the  neighborhood  quiet  the  household  by  its  sneers — 
What  next?" 

"  A  suitor  in  the  courts  maketh  complaint  of  the 
tardiness  of  the  judges." 

"  This  toucheth  the  reputation  of  St.  Mark ;  it  must 
be  looked  to  ! " 

"  Hold ! "  interrupted  the  Signer  Gradenigo.  "  The 
tribunal  •  acteth  advisedly — 'tis  in  the  matter  of  a 
Hebrew,  who  is  thought  to  have  secrets  of  import 
ance.  The  affair  hath  need  of  deliberation,  I  do  as 
sure  you." 

"Destroy  the  charge — Have  we  more?" 

"  Nothing  of  note.  The  usual  number  of  plea 
santries  and  hobbling  verses  which  tend  to  nothing 
If  we  get  some  useful  gleanings,  by  these  secret  ac 
cusations,  we  gain  much  nonsense.  I  would  whip 


THE  BRAVO.  207 

a  youngster  of  ten  who  could  not  mould  our  soft 
Italian  into  better  rhyme  than  this." 

"  'Tis  the  wantonness  of  security.  Let  it  pass, 
for  all  that  serveth  to  amuse  suppresseth  turbulent 
thoughts.  Shall  we  now  see  his  highness,  Sig- 
nori?" 

"  You  forget  the  fisherman,"  gravely  observed  the 
Signor  Gradenigo. 

"  Your  honor  sayeth  true.  What  a  head  for  busi 
ness  hath  he !  Nothing  that  is  useful  escapeth  his 
ready  mind." 

The  old  senator,  while  he  was  too  experienced  to 
be  cajoled  by  such  language,  saw  the  necessity  of 
appearing  flattered.  Again  he  bowed,  and  protested 
aloud  and  frequently  against  the  justice  of  compli 
ments  that  he  so  little  merited.  When  this  little  by 
play  was  over,  they  proceeded  gravely  to  consider 
the  matter  before  them. 

As  the  decision  of  the  Council  of  Three  will  be 
made  apparent  in  the  course  of  the  narrative,  we 
shall  not  continue  to  detail  the  conversation  that  ac 
companied  their  deliberations.  The  sitting  was  long, 
so  long  indeed  that  when  they  arose,  having  com 
pleted  their  business,  the  heavy  clock  of  the  square 
tolled  the  hour  of  midnight. 

"  The  doge  will  be  impatient,"  said  one  of  the 
two  nameless  members,  as  they  threw  on  their 
cloaks,  before  leaving  the  chamber.  "  I  thought  his 
highness  wore  a  more  fatigued  and  feeble  air  to 
day,  than  he  is  wont  to  exhibit,  at  the  festivities  of 
the  city." 

"  His  highness  is  no  longer  young,  Signore.  If 
I  remember  right,  he  greatly  outnumbers  either  of 
us  in  years.  Our  Lady  of  Loretto  lend  him  strength 
long  to  wear  the  ducal  bonnet,  and  wisdom  to  wear 
it  well!" 

"  He  hath  lately  sent  offerings  to  her  shrine." 

M  Signore,  he  hath.     His  confessor  hath  gone  in 


208  THE    BRAVO. 

person  with  the  offering,  as  I  know  of  certainty 
'Tis  not  a  serious  gift,  but  a  mere  remembrance  to 
keep  himself  in  the  odor  of  sanctity.  I  doubt  that 
his  reign  will  not  be  long !" 

"  There  are,  truly,  signs  of  decay  in  his  system. 
He  is  a  worthy  prince,  and  we  shall  lose  a  father 
when  called  to  weep  for  his  loss !" 

"  Most  true,  Signore :  but  the  horned  bonnet  is 
not  an  invulnerable  shield  against  the  arrows  of  death. 
Age  and  infirmities  are  more  potent  than  our  wish 
es." 

"  Thou  art  moody  to-night,  Signor  Gradenigo. 
Thou  art  not  used  to  be  so  silent  with  thy  friends." 

"  I  am  not  the  less  grateful,  Signore,  for  their  fa 
vors.  If  I  have  a  loaded  countenance,  I  bear  a  light 
ened  heart.  One  who  hath  a  daughter  of  his  own 
so  happily  bestowed  in  wedlock  as  thine,  may  judge 
of  the  relief  I  feel  by  this  disposition  of  my  ward. 
Joy  affects  the  exterior,  frequently,  like  sorrow ;  ay, 
even  to  tears." 

His  two  companions  looked  at  the  speaker  with 
much  obvious  sympathy  in  their  manners.  They 
then  left  the  chamber  of  doom  together.  The  me 
nials  entered  and  extinguished  the  lights,  leaving  all 
behind  them  in  an  obscurity  that  was  no  bad  type 
of  the  gloomy  mysteries  of  the  place. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

u  Then  methought, 

A  serenade  broke  silence,  breathing  hope 
Through  walls  of  stone." 

Italy. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  the 
melody  of  music  was  rife  on  the  water.  Gondolas 
continued  to  glide  along  the  shadowed  canals,  while 


THE   BRAVO.  209 

the  laugh  or  the  song  was  echoed  among  the  arches 
of  the  palaces.  The  piazza  and  piazzetta  were  yet 
brilliant  with  lights,  and  gay  with  their  multitudes  of 
unwearied  revellers. 

The  habitation  of  Donna  Violetta  was  far  from 
the  scene  of  general  amusement.  Though  so  re 
mote,  the  hum  of  the  moving  throng,  and  the  higher 
strains  of  the  wind-instruments,  came,  from  time  to 
time,  to  the  ears  of  its  inmates,  mellowed  and  thrill- 
'ng  by  distance. 

The  position  of  the  moon  cast  the  whole  of  the 
narrow  passage  which  flowed  beneath  the  windows 
of  her  private  apartments  into  shadow.  In  a  bal 
cony  which  overhung  the  water,  stood  the  youthful 
and  ardent  girl,  listening  with  a  charmed  ear  and  a 
tearful  eye  to  one  of  those  soft  strains,  in  which 
Venetian  voices  answered  to  each  other  from  dif 
ferent  points  on  the  canals,  in  the  songs  of  the  gon 
doliers.  Her  constant  companion  and  Mentor  was 
near,  while  the  ghostly  father  of  them  both  stood 
deeper  in  the  room. 

"  There  may  be  pleasanter  towns  on  the  main, 
and  capitals  of  more  revelry,"  said  the  charmed 
Violetta,  withdrawing  her  person  from  its  leaning 
attitude,  as  the  voices  ceased  ;  "  but  in  such  a  night 
and  at  this  witching  hour,  what  city  may  compare 
with  Venice  ? " 

"  Providence  has  been  less  partial  in  the  distribu 
tion  of  its  earthly  favors  than  is  apparent  to  a  vul 
gar  eye,"  returned  the  attentive  Carmelite.  "  If  we 
have  our  peculiar  enjoyments  and  our  moments  of 
divine  contemplation,  other  towns  have  advantages 
of  their  own ;  Genoa  and  Pisa,  Firenze,  Ancona, 
Roma,  Palermo,  and,  chiefest  of  all,  Napoli— " 

"Napoli,  father!" 

"  Daughter,  Napoli.     Of  all  the  towns  of  sunny 
Italy,  'tis  the  fairest  and  the  most  blessed  in  natura. 
gifts.     Of  every  region  I  have  visited,  during  a  life 
ib  2 


210  THE    BRAVO. 

of  wandering  and  penitence,  that  is  the  country  on 
which  the  touch  of  the  Creator  hath  been  the  most 
God-like!" 

"  Thou  art  imaginative  to-night,  good  Father  An- 
selmo.  The  land  must  be  fair  indeed,  that  can  thus 
warm  the  fancy  of  a  Carmelite." 

"  The  rebuke  is  just.  I  have  spoken  more  under 
the  influence  of  recollections  that  came  from  days 
of  idleness  and  levity,  than  with  the  chastened  spirit 
of  one,  who  should .  see  the  hand  of  the  Maker,  in 
the  most  simple  and  least  lovely  of  all  his  wondrous 
works." 

"  You  reproach  yourself  causelessly,  holy  father," 
observed  the  mild  Donna  Florinda,  raising  her  eyes 
towards  the  pale  countenance  of  the  monk;  "  to 
admire  the  beauties  of  nature,  is  to  worship  him 
who  gave  them  being." 

At  that  moment  a  burst  of  music  rose  on  the  air, 
:/roceeding  from  the  water  beneath  the  balcony. 
Donna  Violetta  started  back,  abashed,  and  as  she 
held  her  breath  in  wonder,  and  haply  with  that  de 
light  which  open  admiration  is  apt  to  excite  in  a 
youthful  female  bosom,  the  color  mounted  to  her 
temples. 

"There  passeth  a  band;"  calmly  observed  the 
Donna  Florinda. 

"  No,  it  is  a  cavalier !  There  are  gondoliers,  ser 
vitors  in  his  colors." 

"  This  is  as  hardy  as  it  may  be  gallant;"  return 
ed  the  monk,  who  listened  to  the  air  with  an  evident 
and  grave  displeasure. 

There  was  no  longer  any  doubt  but  that  a  seren 
ade  was  meant.  Though  the  custom  was  of  much 
use,  it  was  the  first  time  that  a  similar  honor  had 
been  paid  beneath  the  window  of  Donna  Violetta. 
The  studied  privacy  of  her  life,  her  known  destiny, 
and  the  jealousy  of  the  despotic  state,  and  perhaps 
the  deep  respect  which  encircled  a  maiden  of  her 


THE    BRAVO.  211 

tender  years  and  high  condition,  had,  until  that  mo 
ment,  kept  the  aspiring,  the  vain,  and  the  interested, 
equally  in  awe. 

"  It  is  for  me !"  whispered  the  trembling,  the  dis- 
xessed,  the  delighted  Violetta. 

"  It  is  for  one  of  us,  indeed;"  answered  the  cau 
tious  friend. 

"  Be  it  for  whom  it  may,  it  is  bold,"  rejoined  the 
monk. 

Donna  Violetta  shrunk  from  observation,  behina 
the  drapery  of  the  window,  but  she  raised  a  hand  in 
pleasure,  as  the  rich  strains  rolled  through  the  wide 
apartmente. 

"  What  a  taste  rules  the  band!"  she  half-whis 
pered,  afraid  to  trust  her  voice,  lest  a  sound  should 
escape  her  ears.  "  They  touch  an  air  of  Petrarch's 
sonnatas !  How  indiscreet,  and  yet  how  noble ! " 

"  More  noble  than  wise;"  said  the  Donna  Florin- 
da,  who  entered  the  balcony,  and  looked  intently  on 
the  water  beneath. 

"  Here  are  musicians  in  the  color  of  a  noble  in 
one  gondola,"  she  continued,  "  and  a  single  cavalier 
in  another." 

"  Hath  he  no  servitor  ? — Doth  he  ply  the  oar  him 
self?" 

"  Truly  that  decency  hath  not  been  overlooked  ; 
one  in  a  flowered  jacket  guides  the  boat." 

"  Speak,  then,  dearest  Florinda,  I  pray  thee." 

"Would  it  be  seemly?" 

"  Indeed  I  think  it.  Speak  them  fair.  Say  that  I 
am  the  senate's. — That  it  is  not  discreet  to  urge  a 
daughter  of  the  state  thus — say  what  thou  wilt — but 
speak  them  fair." 

"  Ha !  It  is  Don  Camillo  Monforte !  I  know  him 
by  his  noble  stature  and  the  gallant  wave  of  his 
nand." 

"  This  temerity  will  undo  him !  His  claim  will 
be  refused — himself  banished.  Is  it  not  near 


212  THE  BRAVO. 

the  hour  when  the  gondola  of  the  police  passes  ? 
Admonish  him  to  depart,  good  Florinda — and  yet 
— can  we  use  this  rudeness  to  a  Signor  of  his  rank !" 

"  Father,  counsel  us ;  you  know  the  hazards  of 
this  rash  gallantry  in  the  Neapolitan — aid  us  with 
thy  wisdom,  for  there  is  not  a  moment  to  lose." 

The  Carmelite  had  been  an  attentive  and  an  in 
dulgent  observer  of  the  emotion,  which  sensations 
so  novel  had  awakened  in  the  ardent  but  unprac 
tised  breast  of  the  fair  Venetian.  Pity,  sorrow,  and 
sympathy  were  painted  on  his  mortified  face,  as  he 
witnessed  the  mastery  of  feeling  over  a  mind  so 
guileless,  and  a  heart  so  warm ;  but  the  look  was 
rather  that  of  one  who  knew  the  dangers  of  the 
passions,  than  of  one  who  condemned  them,  without 
thought  of  their  origin  or  power.  At  the  appeal  of 
the  governess  he  turned  away  and  silently  quitted 
the  room.  Donna  Florinda  left  the  balcony  and 
drew  near  her  charge.  There  was  no  explanation, 
nor  any  audible  or  visible  means  of  making  their 
sentiments  known  to  each  other.  Violetta  threw 
herself  into  the  arms  of  her  more  experienced  friend, 
and  struggled  to  conceal  her  face  in  her  bosom.  At 
this  moment  the  music  suddenly  ceased,  and  the 
plash  of  oars,  falling  into  the  water,  succeeded. 

"He  is  gone!"  exclaimed  the  young  creature, 
who  had  been  the  object  of  the  serenade,  and  whose 
faculties,  spite  of  her  confusion,  had  lost  none  of 
their  acuteness.  "  The  gondolas  are  moving  away, 
and  we  have  not  made  even  the  customary  acknow 
ledgments  for  their  civility!" 

"  It  is  not  needed — or  rather  it  might  increase  a 
hazard  that  is  already  too  weighty.  Remember  thy 
high  destiny,  my  child,  and  let  them  depart." 

"  And  yet,  methinks  one  of  my  station  should  not 
fail  in  courtesy.  The  compliment  may  mean  no 
more  than  any  other  idle  usage,  and  they  should  not 
quit  us  unthanked," 


THE  BRAVO.  213 

"  Rest  you,  within.  I  will  watch  the  movement 
of  the  boats,  for  it  surpasseth  female  endurance  not 
to  note  their  aspect." 

"  Thanks,  dearest  Florinda !  hasten,  lest  they  en 
ter  the  other  canal  ere  thou  seest  them." 

The  governess  was  quickly  in  the  balcony.  Ac 
tive  as  was  her  movement,  her  eyes  were  scarcely 
cast  upon  the  shadow  beneath,  before  a  hurried 
question  demanded  what  she  beheld. 

"  Both  gondolas  are  gone,"  was  the  answer. 
"  That  with  the  musicians  is  already  entering  the 
great  canal,  but  that  of  the  cavalier  hath  unaccount 
ably  disappeared ! " 

"  Nay,  look  again  ;  he  cannot  be  in  such  haste  to 
quit  us." 

"  I  had  not  sought  him  in  the  right  direction. 
Here  is  his  gondola,  by  the  bridge  of  our  own 
canal." 

"  And  the  cavalier  ?  He  waits  for  some  sign  of 
courtesy ;  it  is  meet  that  we  should  not  withhold  it." 

"  I  see  him  not.  His  servitor  is  seated  on  the 
steps  of  the  landing,  while  the  gondola  appeareth  to 
be  empty.  The  man  hath  an  air  of  waiting,  but  I 
nowhere  see  the  master ! " 

"  Blessed  Maria !  can  aught  have  befallen  the 
gallant  Duca  di  Sant'  Agata?" 

"  Naught  but  the  happiness  of  casting  himself 
here ! "  exclaimed  a  voice  near  the  person  of  the 
heiress.  The  Donna  Violetta  turned  her  gaze  from 
the  balcony,  and  beheld  him  who  filled  all  her 
thoughts,  at  her  feet. 

The  cry  of  the  girl,  the  exclamation  of  her  friend, 
and  a  rapid  and  eager  movement  of  the  monk, 
brought  the  whole  party  into  a  group. 

"  This  may  not  be  ;"  said  the  latter  in  a  reprov 
ing  voice.  "  Arise,  Don  Camillo,  lest  I  repent  list 
ening  to  your  prayer ;  you  exceed  our  conditions." 

"  As  much  as  this  emotion  exceedeth  my  hopes,* 


214  THE   BRAVO. 

answered  the  noble.  "  Holy  father,  it  i?  in  to  op 
pose  Providence !  Providence  brough'  me  to  the 
rescue  of  this  lovely  being,  when  accident  threw  her 
into  the  Giudecca,  and,  once  more,  Providence  is 
my  friend,  by  permitting  me  to  be  a  witness  of  this 
feeling.  Speak,  fair  Violetta,  thou  wilt  not  be  an 
instrument  of  the  senate's  selfishness — thou  wilt  not 
hearken  to  their  wish  of  disposing  of  thy  hand  on 
the  mercenary,  who  would  trifle  with  the  most  sa 
cred  of  all  vows,  to  possess  thy  wealth  1 " 

"  For  whom  am  I  destined  ? "  demanded  Violetta. 

"  No  matter,  since  it  be  not  for  me.  Some  traf 
ficker  in  happiness,  some  worthless  abuser  of  the 
gifts  of  fortune." 

"  Thou  knowest,  Camillo,  our  Venetian  custom, 
and  must  see  that  I  am  hopelessly  in  their  hands." 

"  Arise,  Duke  of  St.  Agata,"  said  the  monk,  with 
authority ;  "  when  I  suffered  you  to  enter  this  palace, 
it  was  to  remove  a  scandal  from  its  gates,  and  to 
save  you  from  your  own  rash  disregard  of  the  state's 
displeasure.  It  is  idle  to  encourage  hopes  that  the 
policy  of  the  republic  opposes.  Arise  then,  and 
respect  your  pledges." 

"  That  shall  be  as  this  lady  may  decide.  Encour 
age  me  with  but  an  approving  look,  fairest  Violetta, 
and  not  Venice,  with  its  doge  and  inquisition,  shall 
stir  me  an  inch  from  thy  feet!" 

*  Camillo  !"  answered  the  trembling  girl,  "  thou, 
the  preserver  of  my  life,  hast  little  need  to  kneel  to 
me!" 

Duke  of  St.  Agata— daughter !" 

"  Nay,  heed  him  not,  generous  Violetta.  He  utters 
words  of  convention — he  speaks  as  all  speak  in  age, 
when  men's  tongues  deny  the  feelings  of  their  youth. 
He  is  a  Carmelite,  and  must  feign  this  prudence. 
He  never  knew  the  tyranny  of  the  passions.  The 
dampness  of  his  cell  has  chilled  the  ardor  of  the 


THE    BRAVO.  215 

heart.     Had  he  been  human,  he  would  have  loved  ; 
had  he  loved,  he  would  never  have  worn  a  cowl." 

Father  Anselmo  receded  a  pace,  like  one  pricked 
in  conscience,  and  the  paleness  of  his  ascetic  fea 
tures  took  a  deadly  hue.  His  lips  moved  as  if  lie 
would  have  spoken,  but  the  sounds  were  smothered 
by  an  oppression  that  denied  him  utterance.  The 
gentle  Florinda  saw  his  distress,  and  she  endeavor 
ed  to  interpose  between  the  impetuous  youth  and 
her  charge. 

"  It  may  be  as  you  say,  Signor  Monforte,"  she 
said,  "  and  that  the  senate,  in  its  fatherly  care, 
searches  a  partner  worthy  of  an  heiress  of  a  house 
so  illustrious  and  so  endowed  as  that  of  Tiepolo. 
But  in  this,  what  is  there  more  than  of  wont  1  Do 
not  the  nobles  of  all  Italy  seek  their  equals  in  condi 
tion  and  in  the  gifts  of  fortune,  in  order  that  their 
union  may  be  fittingly  assorted.  How  know  we 
that  the  estates  of  my  young  friend  have  not  a  vahe 
in  the  eye  of  the  Duke  of  St.  Agata,  as  well  as  in 
those  of  him  that  the  senate  may  elect  for  thy  hus 
band?" 

"  Can  this  be  true !"  exclaimed  Violetta. 

"  Believe  it  not ;  my  errand  in  Venice  is  no  secret. 
I  seek  the  restitution  of  lands  and  houses  long  with 
held  from  my  family,  with  the  honors  of  the  senate 
that  are  justly  mine.  All  these  do  I  joyfully  abandon 
for  the  hope  of  thy  favor." 

"  Thou  nearest,  Florinda :  Don  Camillo  is  nol  to 
be  distrusted!" 

"  What  are  the  senate  and  the  power  of  St.  Mark, 
that  they  should  cross  our  lives  with  misery?  Be 
mine,  lovely  Violetta,  and  in  the  fastnesses  of  my  own 
good  Calabrian  castle  we  will  defy  their  vengeapc 
and  policy.  Their  disappointment  shall  furnish  mer 
riment  for  my  vassals,  and  our  felicity  shall  make 
the  happiness  of  thousands.  I  affect  no  disrespect 
for  the  dignity  of  the  councils,  nor  any  indifference 


216  THE    BRAVO. 

to  that  I  lose,  but  to  me  art  thou  far  more  precious 
than  the  horned  bonnet  itself,  with  all  its  fancied 
influence  and  glory." 

"  Generous  Camillo !" 

"  Be  mine,  and  spare  the  cold  calculators  of  Toe 
senate  another  crime.  They  think  to  dispose  of  tnee, 
as  if  thou  wert  worthless  merchandise,  to  their  own 
advantage.  But  thou  wilt  defeat  their  design.  I 
read  the  generous  resolution  in  thine  eye,  Violetta ; 
thou  wilt  manifest  a  will  superior  to  their  arts  and 
egotism." 

"  I  would  not  be  trafficked  for,  Don  Camillo  Mon- 
forte,  but  woo6  -I  and  won  as  befitteth  a  maiden  of 
my  condition.  They  may  still  leave  me  liberty  of 
choice.  The  Signor  Gradenigo  hath  much  encour 
aged  me  of  late  with  this  hope,  when  speaking  of 
the  establishment  suited  to  my  years." 

"  Believe  him  not ;  a  colder  heart,  a  spirit  more 
removed  from  charity,  exists  not  in  Venice.  He 
courts  thy  favor  for  his  own  prodigal  son ;  a  cavalier 
without  honor,  the  companion  of  profligates,  and  the 
victim  of  the  Hebrews.  Believe  him  not,  for  he  is 
stricken  in  deceit." 

"  He  is  the  victim  of  his  own  designs,  if  this  be 
true.  Of  all  the  youths  of  Venice  I  esteem  Giacomo 
Gradenigo  least." 

"This  interview  must  have  an  end,"  said  the 
monk,  interposing  effectually,  and  compelling  the 
lover  to  rise.  "It  would  be  easier  to  escape  the 
toils  of  sin  than  to  elude  the  agents  of  the  police.  I 
tremble  lest  this  visit  should  be  known,  for  we  are 
encircled  with  the  ministers  of  the  state,  and  not  a 
palace  in  Venice  is  more  narrowly  watched  than 
this.  Were  thy  presence  here  detected,  indiscreet 
young  man,  thy  youth  might  pine  in  a  prison,  while 
thou  would'st  be  the  cause  of  persecution  and  un 
merited  sorrow  to  this  innocent  and  inexperienced 
maiden." 


THE   BRAVO.  217 

"A  prison,  sayest  thou,  father!" 

"No  tess,  daughter.  Lighter  offences  are  often 
expiated  by  heavier  judgments,  when  the  pleasure 
of  the  senate  is  thwarted." 

"Thou  must  not  be  condemned  to  a  prison, 
Camillo!" 

"  Fear  it  not.  The  years  and  peaceful  calling  of 
the  father  make  him  timid.  I  have  long  been  pre 
pared  for  this  happy  moment,  and  I  ask  but  a  single 
hour  to  put  Venice  and  all  her  toils  at  defiance. 
Give  me  the  blessed  assurance  of  thy  truth,  and  con 
fide  in  my  means  for  the  rest." 

"  Thou  hearest,  Florinda !" 

"  This  bearing  is  suited  to  the  sex  of  Don  Camillo, 
dearest,  but  it  ill  becometh  thee.  A  maiden  of  high 
quality  must  await  the  decision  of  her  natural 
guardians." 

"  But  should  that  choice  be  Giacomo  Gradenigo  ?" 

"  The  senate  will  not  hear  of  it.  The  arts  of  his 
father  have  long  been  known  to  thee ;  and  thou  must 
have  seen,  by  the  secrecy  of  his  own  advances,  that 
he  distrusts  their  decision.  The  state  will  have  a 
care  to  dispose  of  thee  as  befitteth  thy  hopes.  Thou 
art  sought  of  many,  and  those  who  guard  thy  for 
tune  only  await  the  proposals  which  best  become 
thy  birth." 

"  Proposals  that  become  my  birth ! " 

"  Suitable  in  years,  condition,  expectations,  and 
character." 

"  Am  I  to  regard  Don  Camillo  Monforte  as  one 
beneath  me?" 

The  monk  again  interposed. 

"  This  interview  must  end,"  he  said.  "  The  eyes 
drawn  upon  us,  by  your  indiscreet  music,  are  now 
turned  on  other  objects,  Signore,  and  you  must 
break  your  faith,  or  depart." 

"Alone,  father?" 

*  Is  the  Donna  Violetta  to  quit  the  roof  of  her 
T 


218  THE   HKAVO. 

father  with  as  little  warning  as  an  unfavored  de 
pendant?" 

"  Nay,  Signer  Monforte,  you  could  not,  in  reason^ 
have  expected  more,  in  this  interview,  than  the 
hope  of  some  future  termination  to  your  suit — 
some  pledge — " 

"And  that  pledge?" 

The  eye  of  Violetta  turned  from  her  governess 
to  her  lover,  from  her  lover  to  the  monk,  and  from 
the  latter  to  the  floor. 

"  Is  thine,  Camillo." 

A  common  cry  escaped  the  Carmelite  and  the 
governess. 

"  Thy  mercy,  excellent  friends,"  continued  the 
blushing  but  decided  Violetta.  "  If  I  have  encour 
aged  Don  Camillo,  in  a  manner  that  thy  counsels 
and  maiden  modesty  would  reprove ;  reflect  that  had 
he  hesitated  to  cast  himself  into  the  Giudecca,  I 
should  have  wanted  the  power  to  confer  this  trifling 
grace.  Why  should  I  be  less  generous  than  my  pre 
server  ?  No,  Camillo,  when  the  senate  condemns  me 
to  wed  another  than  thee,  it  pronounces  the  doom  of 
celibacy;  I  will  hide  my  griefs  in  a  convent  till  I  die!" 

There  was  a  solemn  and  fearful  interruption  to  a 
discourse  which  was  so  rapidly  becoming  explicit, 
by  the  sound  of  the  bell,  that  the  groom  of  the  cham 
bers,  a  long-tried  and  confidential  domestic,  had 
been  commanded  to  ring  before  he  entered.  As  this 
injunction  had  been  accompanied  by  another  not  to 
appear,  unless  summoned,  or  urged  by  some  grave 
motive,  the  signal  caused  a  sudden  pause,  even  at 
that  interesting  moment. 

"  How  now  !"  exclaimed  the  Carmelite  to  the  ser 
vant,  who  abruptly  entered.  "  What  means  this  dis 
regard  of  my  injunctions?" 

"Father,  the  republic!" 

"Is  St. Mark  in  jeopardy,  that  females  and  priests 
are  summoned  to  aid  him?" 


THE  BRAVO.  SJ19 

"  There  are  officials  of  the  state  below,  who  de 
mand  admission  in  the  name  of  the  republic]" 

"  This  grows  serious,"  said  Don  Camillo,  who 
alone  retained  his  self-possession.  "  My  visit  is 
known,  and  the  active  jealousy  of  the  state  antici 
pates  its  object.  Summon  your  resolution,  Donna 
VioJetta,  and  you,  father,  be  of  heart !  I  will  assume 
the  responsibility  of  the  offence,  if  offence  it  be,  and 
exonerate  all  others  from  censure." 

"  Forbid  it,  Father  Anselmo.  Dearest  Florinda, 
we  will  share  his  punishment!"  exclaimed  the  terri 
fied  Violetta,  losing  all  self-command  in  the  fear  of 
such  a  moment.  "  He  has  not  been  guilty  of  this  in 
discretion  without  participation  of  mine ;  he  has  not 
presumed  beyond  his  encouragement." 

The  monk  and  Donna  Florinda  regarded  each 
other  in  mute  amazement,  and  haply  there  was 
some  admixture  of  feeling  in  the  look  that  denot 
ed  the  uselessness  of  caution  when  the  passions 
were  intent  to  elude  the  vigilance  of  those  who 
were  merely  prompted  by  prudence.  The  former 
simply  motioned  for  silence,  while  he  turned  to  the 
domestic. 

"  Of  what  character  are  these  ministers  of  the 
state?"  he  demanded. 

"  Father,  they  are  its  known  officers,  and  wear  the 
badges  of  their  condition." 

""And  their  request?" 

"  Is  to  be  admitted  to  the  presence  of  the  Donna 
Violetta." 

"There  is  still  hope!"  rejoined  the  monk,  breath 
ing  more  freely.  Moving  a.cross  the  room,  he  opened 
a  door  which  communicated  with  the  private  orato 
ry  of  the  palace.  "  Retire  within  this  sacred  chapel, 
Don  Camillo,  while  we  await  the  explanation  of  so 
extraordinary  a  visit." 

As  the  time  pressed,  the  suggestion  was  obeyed 
on  the  instant.  The  lover  entered  the  oratory,  and 


220  THE   BRAVO. 

when  the  door  was  closed  upon  his  person,  the 
domestic,  one  known  to  be  worthy  of  all  confi 
dence,  was  directed  to  usher  in  those  who  waited 
without. 

But  a  single  individual  appeared.  He  was  known, 
at  a  glance,  for  a  public  and  responsible  agent  of 
Jie  government,  who  was  often  charged  with  the 
execution  of  secret  and  delicate  duties.  Donna  Vi- 
oletta  advanced  to  meet  him,  in  respect  to  his  ejn- 
ployers,  and  with  the  return  of  that  self-possession, 
which  long  practice  interweaves  with  the  habits  of 
the  great. 

"I  am  honored  by  this  care  of  my  dreaded  and 
illustrious  guardians,"  she  said,  making  an  acknow 
ledgment  for  the  low  reverence  with  which  the  offi 
cial  saluted  the  richest  ward  of  Venice.  "  To  what 
circumstance  do  I  owe  this  visit?" 

The  officer  gazed  an  instant  about  him,  with  an 
habitual  and  suspicious  caution,  and  then  repeating 
his  salutations,  he  answered. 

"  Lady,"  he  said,  "  I  am  commanded  to  seek  an 
interview  with  the  daughter  of  the  state,  the  heiress 
of  the  illustrious  house  of  Tiepolo,  with  the  Donna 
Florinda  Mercato,  her  female  companion,  with  the 
Father  Anselmo,  her  commissioned  confessor,  and 
with  any  other  who  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  her  society 
and  the  honor  of  her  confidence." 

"  Those  you  seek  are  here ;  I  am  Violetta  Tiepo- 
Jo ;  to  this  lady  am  I  indebted  for  a  mother's  care, 
and  this  reverend  Carmelite  is  my  spiritual  counsel 
lor.  Shall  I  summon  my  household?" 

"  It  is  unnecessary.  My  errand  is  rather  of  pri 
vate  than  of  public  concern.  At  the  decease  of 
your  late  most  honored  and  much-lamented  parent, 
the  illustrious  senator  Tiepolo,  the  care  of  youi 
person,  ladv,  was  committed  by  the  republic,  youi 
natural  and  careful  protector,  to  the  especial  guar 


THE    BRAVO.  221 

dianship  and  wisdom  of  Signore  Alessandro  Gra- 
denigo,  of  illustrious  birth  and  estimable  qualities." 

"  Signore,  you  say  true." 

Though  the  parental  love  of  the  councils  may 
have  seemed  to  be  dormant,  it  has  ever  been  wake 
ful  and  vigilant.  Now  that  the  years,  instruction, 
beauty,  and  other  excellencies  of  their  daughter, 
have  come  to  so  rare  perfection,  they  wish  to  draw 
the  ties  that  unite  them  nearer,  by  assuming  their 
own  immediate  duties  about  her  person." 

"  By  this  I  am  to  understand  that  I  am  no  longer 
a  ward  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo?" 

"  Lady,  a  ready  wit  has  helped  you  to  the  expla 
nation.  That  illustrious  patrician  is  released  from 
his  cherished  and  well-acquitted  duties.  To-morrow 
new  guardians  will  be  charged  with  the  care  of 
your  prized  person,  and  will  continue  their  honora 
ble  trust,  until  the  wisdom  of  the  senate  shall  have 
formed  for  you  such  an  alliance,  as  shall  not  dispar 
age  a  noble  name  and  qualities  that  might  adorn  a 
throne." 

"Am  I  to  be  separated  from  those  I  love?"  de 
manded  Violetta,  impetuously. 

"  Trust  to  the  senate's  wisdom.  I  know  not  its 
determination  concerning  those  who  have  long 
•dwelt  with  you,  but  there  can  be  no  reason  to  doubt 
its  tenderness  or  discretion.  I  have  now  only  to 
add,  that  until  those  charged  anew  with  the  honora 
ble  office  of  your  protectors  shall  arrive,  it  will 
be  well  to  maintain  the  same  modest  reserve  in 
the  reception  of  visitors  as  of  wont,  and  that  your 
door,  lady-,  must  in  propriety  be  closed  against  the 
Signor  Gradenigo  as  against  all  others  of  his  sex." 

"  Shall  I  not  even  thank  him  for  his  care?" 

"  He  is  tenfold  rewarded  in  the  senate's  grati 
tude." 

"  It  would  have  been  gracious  to  have  expressed 
my  feelings  towards  the  Signor  Gradenigo  in 
T2 


222  THE    BRAVO. 

words  ,•  but  that  \vhich  is  refused  to  the  tongue  wiL 
be  permitted  to  the  pen." 

"  The  reserve  that  becomes  the  state  of  one  so  fa- 
vored  is  absolute.  St.  Mark  is  jealous  where  he 
loves.  And,  now  my  commission  is  discharged,  I 
humbly  take  my  leave,  flattered  in  having  been  se 
lected  to  stand  in  such  a  presence,  and  to  have  been 
nought  worthy  of  so  honorable  a  duty." 

As  the  officer  ceased  speaking  and  Violetta  re 
turned  his  bows,  she  turned  her  eyes,  filled  with  ap 
prehension,  on  the  sorrowful  features  of  her  com 
panions.  The  ambiguous  language  of  those  em 
ployed  in  such  missions  was  too  well  known  to 
leave  much  hope  for  the  future.  They  all  antici 
pated  their  separation  on  the  morrow,  though 
neither  could  penetrate  the  reason  of  this  sudden 
change  in  the  policy  of  the  state.  Interrogation 
was  useless,  for  the  blow  evidently  came  from  the 
secret  council,  whose  motives  could  no  more  be 
fathomed  than  its  decrees  foreseen.  The  monk 
raised  his  hands  in  silent  benediction  towards  his 
spiritual  charge,  and,  unable,  even  in  the  presence 
of  the  stranger,  to  repress  their  grief,  Donna  Flo- 
rinda  and  Violetta  sunk  into  each  other's  arms,  and 
wept. 

In  the  mean  time  the  minister  of  this  cruel  blow 
had  delayed  his  departure,  like  one  who  had  a  half- 
formed  resolution.  He  regarded  the  countenance 
of  the  unconscious  Carmelite  intently,  and  in  a  man 
ner  that  denoted  the  habit  of  thinking  much  before 
he  decided. 

"  Reverend  Father,"  he  said,  "  may  I  crave  a 
moment  of  your  time,  for  an  affair  that  concerns 
the  soul  of  a  sinner?" 

Though  amazed,  the  monk  could  not  hesitate 
about  answering  such  an  appeal.  Obedient  to  a 
gesture  of  the  officer,  he  followed  him  from  the 
apartment,  and  continued  at  his  side  while  the  other 


THE   BRAVO.  223 

.hreaded  the  magnificent  rooms  and  descended  to 
his  gondola. 

"  You  must  be  much  honored  of  the  senate,  holy 
monk,"  observed  the  latter  while  they  proceeded, 
*  to  hold  so  near  a  trust  about  the  person  of  one  in 
whom  the  state  takes  so  great  an  interest?" 

"  I  feel  it  as  such,  my  son.  A  life  of  peace  and 
prayer  should  have  made  me  friends." 

"  Men  like  you,  father,  merit  the  esteem  they 
crave.  Are  you  long  of  Venice  ?" 

"Since  the  last  conclave.  I  came  into  the  re 
public  as  confessor  to  the  late  minister  from  Flor 
ence." 

"  An  honorable  trust.  You  have  been  with  us 
then  long  enough  to  know  that  the  republic  never 
forgets  a  servitor,  nor  forgives  an  affront." 

"  'Tis  an  ancient  state,  and  one  whose  influence 
still  reaches  far  and  near." 

"  Have  a  care  of  the  step.  These  marbles  are 
treacherous  to  an  uncertain  foot." 

"  Mine  is  too  practised  in  the  descent  to  be  un 
steady.  I  hope  I  do  not  now  descend  these  stairs 
for  the  last  time?" 

The  minister  of  the  council  affected  not  to  under 
stand  the  question,  but  he  answered  as  if  replying 
only  to  the  previous  observation. 

"  'Tis  truly  a  venerable  state,"  he  said,  "  but  a  little 
tottering  with  its  years.  All  who  love  liberty, 
father,  must  mourn  to  see  so  glorious  a  sway  on  the 
decline.  Sic  transit  gloria  mundi!  You  bare-footed 
Carmelites  do  well  to  mortify  the  flesh  in  youth,  by 
which  you  escape  the  pains  of  a  decreasing  power 
One  like  you  can  have  few  wrongs  of  his  younger 
days  to  repair?" 

"  We  are  none  of  us  without  sin,"  returned  the 
monk,  crossing  himself.  "  He  who  would  flatter  his 
soul  with  being  perfect  lays  the  additional  weight 
of  vanity  on  his  life." 


224  THE  BRAVO. 

"  Men  of  my  occupation,  holy  Carmelite,  have 
few  opportunities  of  looking  into  themselves,  and  I 
bless  the  hour  that  hath  brought  me  into  company 
so  godly.  My  gondola  waits — will  you  enter?" 

The  monk  regarded  his  companion  in  distrust, 
but  knowing  the  uselessness  of  resistance,  he  mur 
mured  a  short  prayer  and  complied.  A  strong 
dash  of  the  oars  announced  their  departure  from 
the  steps  of  the  palace. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

O  pescator  !  dell'  onda, 

Fi  da  lin  ; 
O  pescator  !  dell'  onda, 

Fi  da  lin : 
Vien  pescar  in  qua, 
Colla  bella  tua  barca, 
Colla  bella  se  ne  va, 
Fi  da  lin,  lin,  la — 

Venetian  Boat  Song. 

THE  moon  was  at  the  height.  Its  rays  fell  in  a 
flood  on  the  swelling  domes  and  massive  roofs  of 
Venice,  while  the  margin  of  the  town  was  brilliant 
ly  defined  by  the  glittering  bay.  The  natural  and 
gorgeous  setting  was  more  than  worthy  of  that  pic 
ture  of  human  magnificence ;  for  at  that  moment, 
rich  as  was  the  queen  of  the  Adriatic  in  her  works 
of  art,  the  grandeur  of  her  public  monuments,  the 
number  and  splendor  of  her  palaces,  and  most  else 
that  the  ingenuity  and  ambition  of  man  could  at 
tempt,  she  was  but  secondary  in  the  glories  of  the 
hour. 

Above  was  the  firmament,  gemmed  with  worlds, 
and  sublime  in  immensity.  Beneath  lay  the  broad 
expanse  of  the  Adriatic,  endless  to  the  eye,  tranquil 


THE  BRAVO.  225 

AS  the  vault  it  reflected,  and  luminous  with  its  bor 
rowed  light.  Here  and  there  a  low  island,  reclaim 
ed  from  the  sea  by  the  patient  toil  of  a  thousand 
years,  dotted  the  Lagunes,  burthened  with  the  group 
of  some  conventual  dwellings,  or  picturesque  with 
the  modest  roofs  of  a  hamlet  of  the  fishermen. 
Neither  oar,  nor  song,  nor  laugh,  nor  flap  of  sail, 
nor  jest  of  mariner,  disturbed  the  stillness.  All  in 
the  near  view  was  clothed  in  midnight  loveliness, 
and  all  in  the  distance  bespoke  the  solemnity  of  na 
ture  at  peace.  The  city  and  the  Lagunes,  the  gulf 
and  the  dreamy  Alps,  the  interminable  plain  of  Lom- 
bardy,  and  the  blue  void  of  heaven,  lay  alike,  in  a 
common  and  grand  repose. 

There  suddenly  appeared  a  gondola.  It  issued 
from  among  the  watery  channels  of  the  town,  and 
glided  upon  the  vast  bosom  of  the  bay,  noiseless  as 
the  fancied  progress  of  a  spirit.  A  practised  and 
nervous  arm  guided  its  movement,  which  was  un 
ceasing  and  rapid.  So  swift  indeed  was  the  passage 
of  the  boat,  as  to  denote  pressing  haste  on  the  part 
of  the  solitary  individual  it  contained.  It  held  the 
direction  of  the  Adriatic,  steering  between  one  of 
the  more  southern  outlets  of  the  bay  and  the  well- 
known  island  of  St.  Giorgio.  For  half  an  hour  the 
exertions  of  the  gondolier  were  unrelaxed,  though 
his  eye  was  often  cast  behind  him,  as  if  he  distrust 
ed  pursuit ;  and  as  often  did  he  gaze  ahead,  betray 
ing  an  anxious  desire  to  reach  some  object  that  was 
yet  invisible.  When  a  wide  reach  of  water  lay  be 
tween  him  and  the  town,  however,  he  permitted  his 
oar  to  rest,  and  he  lent  all  his  faculties  to  a  keen  and 
anxious  search. 

A  small  dark  spot  was  discovered  on  the  water 
still  nearer  to  the  sea.  The  oar  of  the  gondolier 
dashed  the  element  behind  him,  and  his  boat  again 
glided  away,  so  far  altering  its  course  as  to  show 
that  all  indecision  was  now  ended.  The  darker  spot 


226  THE    BRAVO. 

was  snortly  beheld  quivering  in  the  rays  of  the  moon» 
and  it  soon  assumed  the  form  and  dimensions  of  a 
boat  at  anchor.  Again  the  gondolier  ceased  his  ef 
forts,  and  he  leaned  forward,  gazing  intently  at  this 
undefined  object,  as  if  he  would  aid  his  powers  of 
sight  by  the  sympathy  of  his  other  faculties.  Just 
then  the  notes  of  music  came  softly  across  the  La- 
gunes.  The  voice  was  feeble  even  to  trembling,  but 
it  had  the  sweetness  of  tone  and  the  accuracy  of 
execution  which  belong  so  peculiarly  to  Venice.  It 
was  the  solitary  man,  in  the  distant  boat,  indulging 
in  the  song  of  a  fisherman.  The  strains  were  sweet, 
and  the  intonations  plaintive  to  melancholy.  The 
air  was  common  to  all  who  plied  the  oar  in  the  ca 
nals,  and  familiar  to  the  ear  of  the  listener.  He 
waited  until  the  close  of  a  verse  had  died  away,  and 
then  he  answered  with  a  strain  of  his  own.  The 
alternate  parts  were  thus  maintained  until  the  music 
ceased,  by  the  two  singing  a  final  \erse  in  chorus. 

When  the  song  was  ended,  the  oar  of  the  gondo 
lier  stirred  the  water  again,  and  he  was  quickly  by 
the  other's  side. 

"  Thou  art  busy  with  thy  hook  betimes,  Antonio," 
said  he  who  had  just  arrived,  as  he  stepped  into  the 
boat  of  the  old  fisherman  already  so  well  known  to 
the  reader.  "  There  are  men,  that  an  interview  with 
the  Council  of  Three,  would  have  sent  to  their 
prayers  and  a  sleepless  bed." 

"  There  is  not  a  chapel  in  Venice,  Jacopo,  in 
which  a  sinner  may  so  well  lay  bare  his  soul  as  in 
this.  I  have  been  here  on  the  empty  Lagunes,  alone 
with  God,  having  the  gates  of  Paradise  open  before 
my  eyes." 

"  One  like  thee  hath  no  need  of  images  to  quicken 
his  devotion." 

"  I  see  the  image  of  my  Savior,  Jacopo,  in  those 
bright  stars,  that  moon,  the  blue  heavens,  the  misty 
bank  of  mountain,  the  waters  on  which  we  float,  ay 


THE   BRAVO.  227 

even  in  my  own  sinking  form,  as  in  all  which  has 
come  from  his  wisdom  and  power.  I  have  prayed 
much  since  the  moon  has  risen." 

"  And  is  habit  so  strong  in  thee,  that  thou  thinkest 
of  God  and  thy  sins,  while  thou  anglest?" 

"The  poor  must  toil  and  the  sinful  must  pray 
My  thoughts  have  dwelt  so  much  of  late  on  the  boy 
that  I  have  forgotten  to  provide  myself  with  food. 
If  I  fish  later  or  earlier  than  common,  'tis  because  a 
man  cannot  live  on  grief." 

"  I  have  bethought  me  of  thy  situation,  honest 
Antonio;  here  is  that  which  will  support  life  and 
raise  thy  courage.  See,"  added  the  Bravo,  stretch 
ing  forth  an  arm  into  his  own  gondola,  from  which 
he  drew  a  basket,  "  here  is  bread  from  Dalmatia, 
wine  of  Lower  Italy,  and  figs  from  the  Levant-— eat, 
then,  and  be  of  cheer." 

The  fisherman  threw  a  wistful  glance  at  the 
viands,  for  hunger  was  making  powerful  appeals  to 
the  weakness  of  nature,  but  his  hand  did  not  relin 
quish  its  hold  of  the  line,  with  which  he  still  con 
tinued  to  angle. 

"  And  these  are  thy  gifts,  Jacopo  ? "  he  asked  in  a 
voice  that,  spite  of  his  resignation,  betrayed  the 
longings  of  appetite. 

"  Antonio,  they  are  the  offerings  of  one  who  re 
spects  thy  courage  and  honors  thy  nature." 

"  Bought  with  his  earnings  ?" 

"  Can  it  be  otherwise  ? — I  am  no  beggar,  for  the 
love  of  the  saints,  and  few  in  Venice  give  unasked. 
Eat  then,  without  fear ;  seldom  wilt  thou  be  more 
welcome." 

"  Take  them  away,  Jacopo,  if  thou  lovest  me.  Do 
not  tempt  me  beyond  what  I  can  bear." 

"How!  art  thou  commanded  to  a  penance?" 
hastily  exclaimed  the  other. 

"  Not  so — not  so.  It  is  long  since  I  have  found 
'eisure  or  heart  for  the  confessional." 


228  THE    BRAVO. 

"  Then  why  refuse  the  gift  of  a  friend  ?  Remem 
ber  thy  years  and  necessities." 

"  I  cannot  feed  on  the  price  of  blood !" 

The  hand  of  the  Bravo  was  withdrawn,  as  if  repel 
led  by  an  electric  touch.  The  action  caused  the 
rays  of  the  moon  to  fail  athwart  his  kindling  eye, 
and  firm  as  Antonio  was  in  honesty  and  principle, 
he  felt  the  blood  creep  to  his  heart,  as  he  encounter 
ed  the  fierce  and  sudden  glance  of  his  companion. 
A  long  pause  succeeded,  during  which  the  fisher 
man  diligently  plied  his  line,  though  utterly  regard 
less  of  the  object  for  which  it  had  been  cast. 

"  I  have  said  it,  Jacopo,"  he  added,  at  length, 
"  and  tongue  of  mine  shall  not  belie  the  thought  of 
my  heart.  Take  away  thy  food  then,  and  forget  all 
that  is  past;  for  what  I  have  said  hath  not  been 
said  in  scorn,  but  out  of  regard  to  my  own  soul. 
Thou  knowest  how  I  have  sorrowed  for  the  boy, 
but  next  to  his  loss  I  could  mourn  over  thee — ay, 
more  bitterly  than  over  any  other  of  the  fallen ! " 

The  hard  breathing  of  the  Bravo  was  audible,  but 
still  he  spoke  not. 

"  Jacopo,"  continued  the  anxious  fisherman,  "  do 
not  mistake  me.  The  pity  of  the  suffering  and  poor 
is  not  like  the  scorn  of  the  rich  and  worldly.  If  I 
touch  a  sore,  I  do  not  bruise  it  with  my  heel.  Thy 
present  pain  is  better  than  the  greatest  of  all  thy 
former  joys." 

"  Enough,  old  man,"  said  the  other  in  a  smother 
ed  voice  ;  "  thy  words  are  forgotten.  Eat  without 
rear,  for  the  offering  is  bought  with  earnings  as  pure 
as  the  gleanings  of  a  mendicant  friar." 

"  I  will  trust  to  the  kindness  of  St.  Anthony  and 
the  fortune  of  my  hook;"  simply  returned  Antonio 
fl  'Tis  common  for  us  of  the  Lagunes  to  go  to  a  sup- 
perless  bed  :  take  away  the  basket,  good  Jacopo 
and  let  us  speak  of  other  things." 

The  Bravo  ceased  to  press  his  food  upon  the  fish- 


THE    BRAVO.  229 

erman.     Laying  aside  his  basket,  he  sate  brooding 
over  what  had  occurred. 

"  Hast  thou  come  thus  far  for  naught  else,  good 
Jacopo  ?"  demanded  the  old  man,  willing  to  weaken 
the  shock  of  his  refusal. 

The  question  appeared  to  restore  Jacopo  to  a  re 
collection  of  his  errand.  He  stood  erect,  and  look 
ed  about  him,  for  more  than  a  minute,  with  a  keen 
eye  and  an  entire  iritentness  of  purpose.  The  look 
in  the  direction  of  the  city  was  longer  and  more 
earnest  than  those  thrown  toward  the  sea  arid  the 
main,  nor  was  it  withdrawn,  until  an  involuntary 
start  betrayed  equally  surprise  and  alarm. 

"  Is  there  not  a  boat,  here,  in  a  line  with  the 
tower  of  the  campanile  ?"  he  asked  quickly,  point 
ing  towards  the  city. 

"  It  so  seems.  It  is  early  for  my  comrades  to  be 
abroad,  but  the  draughts  have  not  been  heavy  of 
late,  and  the  revelry  of  yesterday  drew  many  of  our 
people  from  their  toil.  The  patricians  must  eat,  and 
the  poor  must  labor,  or  both  would  die." 

The  Bravo  slowly  seated  himself,  and  he  looked 
with  concern  into  the  countenance  of  his  companion. 

"  Art  thou  long  here,  Antonio  ? " 

"  But  an  hour.  When  they  turned  us  away  from 
the  palace,  ihou  knowest  that  I  told  thee  of  my  ne 
cessities.  There  is  not,  in  common,  a  more  certain 
spot  on  the  Lagunes  than  this,  and  yet  have  I  long 
played  the  line  in  vain.  The  trial  of  hunger  is  hard, 
but,  like  all  other  trials,  it  must  be  borne.  I  have 
prayed  to  my  patron  thrice,  and  sooner  or  later  he 
will  listen  to  my  wants.  Thou  art  used  to  the  man 
ners  of  these  masked  nobles,  Jacopo ;  dost  thou 
think  them  likely  to  hearken  to  reason?  I  hope  1 
did  the  cause  no  wrong  for  want  of  breeding,  but  I 
spoke  them  fair  and  plainly  as  fathers  and  men  with 
hearts." 

M  As  senators  they  have  none.     Thou  little  under 
U 


230  THE  BRAVO. 

standest,  Antonio,  the  distinctions  of  these  patricians, 
In  the  gaiety  of  their  palaces,  and  among  the  com 
panions  of  their  pleasures,  none  will  speak  you  fairer 
of  humanity  and  justice — ay — even  of  God !  but 
when  met  to  discuss  what  they  call  the  interests  of 
St.  Mark,  there  is  not  a  rock  on  the  coldest  peak  of 
yonder  Alp,  with  less  humanity,  or  a  wolf  among 
their  valleys  more  heartless  ! " 

"  Thy  words  are  strong,  Jacopo — I  would  not  do 
injustice  even  to  those  who  have  done  me  this  wrong. 
The  senators  are  men,  and  God  has  given  all  feel 
ings  and  nature  alike." 

"  The  gift  is  then  abused.  Thou  hast  felt  the 
want  of  thy  daily  assistant,  fisherman,  and  thou  hast 
sorrowed  for  thy  child  ;  for  thee  it  is  easy  to  enter 
into  another's  griefs ;  but  the  senators  know  nothing 
of  suffering.  Their  children  are  not  dragged  to  the 
galleys,  their  hopes  are  never  destroyed  by  laws 
coming  from  hard  task-masters,  nor  are  their  tears 
shed  for  sons  ruined  by  being  made  companions  of 
the  dreg's  of  the  republic.  They  will  talk  of  public 
virtue  and  services  to  the  state,  but  in  their  own 
cases  they  mean  the  virtue  of  renown,  and  services 
that  bring  with  them  honors  and  rewards.  The 
wants  of  the  state  is  their  conscience,  though  they 
take  heed  those  wants  shall  do  themselves  no  harm." 

*'  Jacopo,  Providence  itself  hath  made  a  difference 
in  men.  One  is  large,  another  small;  one  weak, 
another  strong  ;  one  wise,  another  foolish.  At  what 
Providence  hath  done,  we  should  not  murmur  ?" 

"  Providence  did  not  make  the  senate  ;  't  is  an  in- 
\73ntion  of  man.  Mark  me,  Antonio,  thy  language 
hath  given  offence,  and  thou  art  not  safe  in  Venice. 
They  will  pardon  all  but  complaints  against  their 
justice.  That  is  too  true  to  be  forgiven." 

"  Can  they  wish  to  harm  one  who  seeks  his  own 
child?" 

"  If  thou  wert  great  and  respected,  they  would 


THE   BRAVO.  231 

undermine  thy  fortune  and  character,  ere  thou 
should'st  put  their  system  in  danger — as  thou  art 
weak  and  poor,  they  will  do  thee  some  direct  in 
jury,  unless  thou  art  moderate.  Before  all,  I  warn 
thee  that  their  system  must  stand  !" 

"Will  God  suffer  this'?" 

"  We  may  not  enter  into  his  secrets ;"  returned  the 
Bravo,  devoutly  crossing  himself.  "  Did  his  reign 
end  with  this  world,  there  might  be  injustice  in  suf 
fering  the  wicked  to  triumph,  but,  as  it  is,  we 

Yon  boat  approaches  fast !  I  little  like  its  air  and 
movements." 

"  They  are  not  fishermen,  truly,  for  there  are  many 
oars  and  a  canopy ! " 

"  It  is  a  gondola  of  the  state  ! "  exclaimed  Jacopo, 
rising  and  stepping  into  his  own  boat,  which  he  cast 
loose  from  that  of  his  companion,  when  he  stood  in 
evident  doubt  as  to  his  future  proceedings.  "  Anto 
nio,  we  should  do  well  to  row  away." 

"  Thy  fears  are  natural,"  said  the  unmoved  fish 
erman,  "and  'tis  a  thousand  pities  that  there  is 
cause  for  them.  There  is  yet  time  for  one  skilful 
as  thou  to  outstrip  the  fleetest  gondola  on  the  ca 
nals." 

"  Quick,  lift  thy  anchor,  old  man,  and  depart, — 
my  eye  is  sure.  I  know  the  boat." 

"  Poor  Jacopo !  what  a  curse  is  a  tender  con 
science  !  Thou  hast  been  kind  to  me  in  my  need, 
and  if  prayers,  from  a  sincere  heart,  can  do  thee 
service,  thou  shalt'not  want  them." 

"  Antonio ! "  cried  the  other,  causing  his  boat  to 
whirl  away,  and  then  pausing  an  instant  like  a  man 
undecided — "  I  can  stay  no  longer — trust  them  not — 
they  are  false  as  fiends — there  is  no  time  to  lose — 
I  must  away." 

The  fisherman  murmured  an  ejaculation  of  pity, 
as  he  waved  a  hand,  in  adieu ! 

"  Holy  St.  Anthony,  watch  over  my  own  child 


232  THE    BRAVO. 

lest  he  come  to  some  such  miserable  life!"  he  add-' 
ed,  in  an  audible  prayer — "  There  hath  been  good 
seed  cast  on  a  rock,  in  that  youth,  for  a  warmer  01 
kinder  heart  is  not  in  man.  That  one  like  Jacopo 
should  live  by  striking  the  assassin's  blow  !" 

The  near  approach  of  the  strange  gondola,  now 
attracted  the  whole  attention  of  the  old  man.  It 
came  swiftly  towards  him,  impelled  by  six  strong 
oars,  and  his  eye  turned  feverishly  in  the  direction 
of  the  fugitive.  Jacopo,  with  a  readiness  that  ne 
cessity  and  long  practice  rendered  nearly  instinct 
ive,  had  taken  a  direction  which  blended  his  wake 
in  a  line  with  one  of  those  bright  streaks  that  the 
moon  drew  on  the  water,  and  which,  by  dazzling 
the  eye,  effectually  concealed  the  objects  within  its 
width.  When  the  fisherman  saw  that  the  Bravo  had 
disappeared,  he  smiled  and  seemed  at  ease. 

"  Ay,  let  them  come  here,"  he  said ;  "  it  will  give 
Jacopo  more  time.  I  doubt  not  the  poor  fellow  hath 
struck  a  blow,  since  quitting  the  palace,  that  the  coun 
cil  will  not  forgive !  The  sight  of  gold  hath  been 
too  strong,  and  he  hath  offended  those  who  have 
so  long  borne  with  him.  God  forgive  me,  that  I 
have  had  communion  with  such  a  man !  but  when 
the  heart  is  heavy,  the  pity  of  even  a  dog  will 
warm  our  feelings.  Few  care  for  me,  now,  or  the 
friendship  of  such  as  he  could  never  have  been  wel 
come." 

Antonio  ceased,  for  the  gondola  of  the  state 
came  with  a  rushing  noise  to  the  side  of  his  own 
boat,  where  it  was  suddenly  stopped  by  a  back 
ward  sweep  of  the  oars.  The  water  was  still  in 
ebullition,  when  a  form  passing  into  the  gondola  of 
the  fisherman,  the  larger  boat  shot  away  again,  to 
the  distance  of  a  few  hundred  feet,  and  remained  at 
rest. 

Antonio  witnessed  this  movement  in  silent  curios 
ity;  but  when  he  saw  the  gondoliers  of  the  state 


THE  BRAVO.  233 

lying  on  their  oars,  he  glanced  his  eye  again  fur 
tively  in  the  direction  of  Jacopo,  saw  that  all  was 
safe,  and  faced  his  companion  with  confidence. 
The  brightness  of  the  moon  enabled  him  to  distin 
guish  the  dress  and  aspect  of  a  bare-footed  Carme 
lite.  The  latter  seemed  more  confounded  than  his 
companion,  by  the  rapidity  of  the  movement,  and 
the  novelty  of  his  situation.  Notwithstanding  his 
confusion,  however,  an  evident  look  of  wondei 
crossed  his  mortified  features  when  he  first  beheld 
the  humble  condition,  the  thin  and  whitened  locks, 
and  the  general  air  and  bearing  of  the  old  man  with 
whom  he  now  found  himself. 

"  Who  art  thou?"  escaped  him,  in  the  impulse  of 
surprise. 

"  Antonio  of  the  Lagunes !  A  fisherman  that 
owes  much  to  St.  Anthony,  for  favors  little  de 
served." 

"  And  why  hath  one  like  thee  fallen  beneath  the 
senate's  displeasure!" 

"  I  am  honest  and  ready  to  do  justice  to  others. 
If  that  offend  the  great,  they  are  men  more  to  be 
pitied  than  envied." 

"  The  convicted  are  always  more  disposed  to  be 
lieve  themselves  unfortunate  than  guilty.    The  error 
is  fatal,  and  it  should  be  eradicated  from  the  mind, 
lest  it  lead  to  death." 

"  Go  tell  this  to  the  patricians.  They  have  need 
of  plain  counsel,  and  a  warning  from  the  church." 

"  My  son,  there  is  pride  and  anger,  and  a  per 
verse  heart  in  thy  replies.  The  sins  of  the  sena 
tors — and  as  they  are  men,  they  are  not.  without  spot 
— can  in  no  manner  whiten  thine  own.  Though 
an  unjust  sentence  should  condemn  one  to  punisn- 
merit,  it  leaves  the  offences  against  God  in  their  na 
tive  deformity.  Men  may  pity  him  who  hath  wrong 
fully  undergone  the  anger  of  the  world,  but  the 
church  will  only  pronounce  pardon  on  him  who  con- 
U2 


234  THE    BRAVO. 

fesseth  his  errors,  with  a  sincere  admission  of  their 
magnitude." 

"  Have  you  come,  father,  to  shrive  a  penitent?" 

"  Such  is  my  errand.  I  lament  the  occasion,  and 
if  what  I  fear  be  true,  still  more  must  I  regret  that 
one  so  aged  should  have  brought  his  devoted  head 
beneath  the  arm  of  justice." 

Antonio  smiled,  and  again  he  bent  his  eyes  along 
that  dazzling  streak  of  light,  which  had  swallowed 
up  the  gondola  and  the  person  of  the  Bravo. 

"  Father,"  he  said,  when  a  long  and  earnest  look 
was  ended,  "  there  can  be  little  harm  in  speaking 
truth  to  one  of  thy  holy  office.  They  have  told  thee 
there  was  a  criminal  here  m  the  Lagunes,  who  hath 
provoked  the  anger  of  St.  Mark?" 

"  Thou  art  right." 

"  It  is  not  easy  to  know  when  St.  Mark  is  pleased, 
or  when  he  is  not,"  continued  Antonio,  plying  his 
line  with  indifference,  "  for  the  very  man  he  now 
seeks  has  he  long  tolerated ;  ay,  even  in  presence 
of  the  doge.  The  senate  hath  its  reasons  which  lie 
beyond  the  reach  of  the  ignorant,  but  it  would  have 
been  better  for  the  soul  of  the  poor  youth,  and 
more  seemly  for  the  republic,  had  it  turned  a  dis 
couraging  countenance  on  his  deeds  from  the  first." 

"  Thou  speakest  of  another ! — thou  art  not  then 
the  criminal  they  seek  ? " 

"  I  am  a  sinner,  like  all  born  of  woman,  reverend 
Carmelite,  but  my  hand  hath  never  held  any  other 
weapon  than  the  good  sword  with  which  I  struck 
the  infidel.  There  was  one  lately  here,  that  I  grieve 
to  add,  cannot  say  this!" 

"And  he  is  gone?" 

"  Father,  you  have  your  eyes,  and  you  can  an 
swer  that  question  for  yourself.  He  is  gone  ;  though 
he  is  not  far ;  still  is  he  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
swiftest  gondola,  in  Venice,  praised  be  St.  Mark!" 

The  Carmelite  bowed  his  head,  where  he  was 


THE  BRAVO.  235 

seated,  and  his  lips  moved,  either  in   prayer  or 
in  thanksgiving. 

"Are  you  sorry,  monk,  that  a  sinner  has  es 
caped  1" 

"  Son,  I  rejoice  that  this  bitter  office  hath  passed 
from  me,  while  I  mourn  that  there  should  be  a  spirit 
so  depraved  as  to  require  it.  Let  us  summon  the 
servants  of  the  republic,  and  inform  them  that  their 
errand  is  useless." 

"  Be  not  of  haste,  good  father.  The  night  is 
gentle,  and  these  hirelings  sleep  on  their  oars,  like 
gulls  in  the  Lagunes.  The  youth  will  have  more 
time  for  repentance,  should  he  be  undisturbed." 

The  Carmelite,  who  had  arisen,  instantly  reseated 
himself,  like  one  actuated  by  a  strong  impulse. 

"  I  thought  he  had  already  been  far  beyond  pur 
suit,"  he  muttered,  unconsciously  apologizing  for 
his  apparent  haste. 

"  He  is  over  bold,  and  I  fear  he  will  row  back  to 
the  canals,  in  which  case  you  might  meet  nearer  to 
the  city — or,  there  may  be  more  gondolas  of  the 
state  out — in  short,  father,  ihou  wilt  be  more  certain 
to  escape  hearing  the  confession  of  a  Bravo,  by 
listening  to  that  of  a  fisherman,  who  has  long  want 
ed  an  occasion  to  acknowledge  his  sins." 

Men  who  ardently  wish  the  same  result,  require 
few  words  to  understand  each  other.  The  Carme 
lite  took,  intuitively,  the  meaning  of  his  companion 
and  throwing  back  his  cowl,  a  movement  that  ex 
posed  the  countenance  of  Father  Anselmo,  he  pre 
pared  to  listen  to  the  confession  of  the  old  man. 

"  Thou  art  a  Christian,  and  one  of  thy  years  hath 
not  to  learn  the  state  of  mind  that  becometh  a  peni 
tent  ;"  said  the  monk,  when  each  was  ready. 

"  I  am  a  sinner,  father ;  give  me  counsel  and  ab 
solution,  that  I  may  have  hope." 

"  Thy  will  be  done — thy  prayer  s  heard — ap 
proach  and  kneel." 


236  THE   BRAVO 

Antonio,  who  had  fastened  his  line  to  his  seat, 
and  disposed  of  his  net  with  habitual  care,  now 
crossed  himself  devoutly,  and  took  his  station  before 
the  Carmelite.  His  acknowledgments  of  error  then 
began.  Much  mental  misery  clothed  the  language 
and  ideas  of  the  fisherman  with  a  dignity  that  his 
auditor  had  not  been  accustomed  to  find  in  men  of 
his  class.  A  spirit  so  long  chastened  by  suffering 
had  become  elevated  and  noble.  He  related  his 
nopes  for  the  boy,  the  manner  in  which  they  had 
been  blasted  by  the  unjust  and  selfish  policy  of  the 
state,  of  his  different  efforts  to  procure  the  release 
of  his  grandson,  and  his  bold  expedients  at  the  re 
gatta,  and  the  fancied  nuptials  with  the  Adriatic. 
When  he  had  thus  prepared  the  Carmelite  to  under 
stand  the  origin  of  his  sinful  passions,  which  it  was 
now  his  duty  to  expose,  he  spoke  of  those  passions 
themselves,  and  of  their  influence  on  a  mind  that 
was  ordinarily  at  peace  with  mankind.  The  tale 
was  told  simply  and  without  reserve,  but  in  a  man 
ner  to  inspire  respect,  and  to  awaken  powerful  sym 
pathy  in  him  who  heard  it. 

"  And  these  feelings  thou  didst  indulge  against  the 
honored  and  powerful  of  Venice!"  demanded  the 
monk,  affecting  a  severity  he  could  not  feel. 

"  Before  my  God  do  I  confess  the  sin !  In  bitter 
ness  of  heart  I  cursed  them ;  for  to  me  they  seemed 
men  without  feeling  for  the  poor,  and  heartless  as 
the  marbles  of  their  own  palaces." 

"  Thou  knowest  that  to  be  forgiven,  thou  must 
forgive.  Dost  thou,  at  peace  with  all  of  earth,  for 
get  this  wrong,  and  canst  thou  in  charity  with  thy 
fellows,  pray  to  Him  who  died  for  the  race,  in  be 
half  of  those  who  have  injured  thee  ?" 

Antonio  bowed  his  head  on  his  naked  breast,  and 
he  seemed  to  commune  with  his  soul. 

"  Father,"  he  said,  in  a  rebuked  tone,  "  I  hope  I 
do" 


THE  BRAVO.  237 

"  Thou  must  not  trifle  with  thyself  to  thifte  own 
perdition.  There  is  an  eye  in  yon  vault  above  us 
which  pervades  space,  and  which  looks  into  the  in 
most  secrets  of  the  heart.  Canst  thou  pardon  the 
error  of  the  patricians,  in  a  contrite  spirit  for  thine 
own  sins'?" 

"  Holy  Maria,  pray  for  them,  as  I  now  ask  mercy 
in  their  behalf! — Father,  they  are  forgiven." 

"  Amen !" 

The  Carmelite  arose  and  stood  over  the  kneeling 
Antonio,  with  the  whole  of  his  benevolent  counte 
nance  illuminated  by  the  moon.  Stretching  his  arms 
towards  the  stars,  he  pronounced  the  absolution,  in 
a  voice  that  was  touched  with  pious  fervor.  The 
upward  expectant  eye,  with  the  withered  linea 
ments  of  the  fisherman,  and  the  holy  calm  of  the 
monk,  formed  a  picture  of  resignation  and  hope,  that 
angels  would  have  loved  to  witness. 

"  Amen !  amen !"  exclaimed  Antonio,  as  he  arose, 
crossing  himself;  "  St.  Anthony  and  the  Virgin  aid 
me  to  keep  these  resolutions  I" 

"  I  will  not  forget  thee,  my  son,  in  the  offices  of 
holy  church.  Receive  my  benediction,  that  I  may 
depart." 

Antonio  again  bowed  his  knee,  while  the  Carmel 
ite  firmly  pronounced  the  words  of  peace.  When 
this  last  office  was  performed,  and  a  decent  interval 
of  mutual  but  silent  prayer  had  passed,  a  signal  was 
given  to  summon  the  gondola  of  the  state.  It  came 
rowing  down  with  great  force,  and  was  instantly 
at  their  side.  Two  men  passed  into  the  boat  of  An 
tonio,  and  with  officious  zeal  assisted  the  monk  to 
resume  his  place  in  that  of  the  republic. 

"  Is  the  penitent  shrived  ? "  half  whispered  one, 
seemingly  the  superior  of  the  two. 

"  Here  is  an  error.  He  thou  seekst  has  escaped. 
This  aged  man  is  a  fisherman  named  Antonio,  and 
one  who  cannot  have  gravely  offended  St.  Mark 


238  THE   BRAVO. 

The  Bfavo  hath  passed  toward  the  island  of  San 
Giorgio,  and  must  be  sought  elsewhere." 

The  officer  released  the  person  of  the  monk,  who 
passed  quickly  beneath  the  canopy,  and  he  turned  to 
cast  a  hasty  glance  at  the  features  of  the  fisherman. 
The  rubbing  of  a  rope  was  audible,  and  the  anchoi 
of  Antonio  was  lifted  by  a  sudden  jerk.  A  heavy 
plashing  of  the  water  followed,  and  the  two  boats 
shot  away  together,  obedient  to  a  violent  effort  of 
the  crew.  The  gondola  of  the  state  exhibited  its 
usual  number  of  gondoliers  bending  to  their  toil, 
with  its  dark  and  hearse-like  canopy,  but  that  of 
the  fisherman  was  empty ! 

The  sweep  of  the  oars  and  the  plunge  of  the  body 
of  Antonio  had  been  blended  in  a  common  wash  of 
the  surge.  When  the  fisherman  came  to  the  sur 
face,  after  his  fall,  he  was  alone  in  the  centre  of  the 
vast  but  tranquil  sheet  of  water.  There  might  have 
been  a  glimmering  of  hope,  as  he  arose  from  the 
darkness  of  the  sea  to  the  bright  beauty  of  that 
moon-lit  night.  But  the  sleeping  domes  were  too 
far  for  human  strength,  and  the  gondolas  were 
sweeping  madly  towards  the  town.  He  turned,  and 
swimming  feebly,  for  hunger  and  previous  exertion 
had  undermined  his  strength,  he  bent  his  eye  on  the 
dark  spot,  which  he  had  constantly  recognized  as 
the  boat  of  the  Bravo. 

Jacopo  had  not  ceased  to  watch  the  interview, 
with  the  utmost  intentness  of  his  faculties.  Favored 
by  position,  he  could  see  without  being  distinctly 
visible.  He  saw  the  Carmelite  pronouncing  the  ab 
solution,  and  he  witnessed  the  approach  of  the  larger 
boat.  He  heard  a  plunge  heavier  than  that  of  fall 
ing  oars,  and  he  saw  the  gondola  of  Antonio  towing 
way  empty.  The  crew  of  the  republic  had  scarce 
ly  swept  the  Lagunes  with  their  oar-blades,  before 
his  own  stirred  the  water. 


THE  BRAVO.  239 

"  Jacopo  i — Jacopo  ! "  came  fearfully  and  faintly 
to  his  ears. 

The  voice  was  known  and  the  occasion  thorough 
ly  understood.  The  .cry  of  distress  was  succeeded 
by  the  rush  of  the  water,  as  it  piled  before  the  beak 
of  the  Bravo's  gondola.  The  sound  of  the  parted 
element  was  like  the  sighing  of  a  breeze.  Ripples 
and  bubbles  were  left  behind,  as  the  driven  scud 
floats  past  the  stars,  and  all  those  muscles  which 
had  once  before  that  day  been  so  finely  developed 
in  the  race  of  the  gondoliers,  were  now  expanded, 
seemingly  in  twofold  volumes.  Energy  and  skill 
were  in  every  stroke,  and  the  dark  spot  came  down 
the  streak  of  light,  like  the  swallow  touching  the 
water  with  its  wing. 

"  Hither,  Jacopo — thou  steerest  wide  ! " 

The  beak  of  the  gondola  turned,  and  the  glaring 
eye  of  the  Bravo  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  fisherman's 
head. 

"  Quickly,  good  Jacopo, — I  fail!" 

The  murmuring  of  the  water  again  drowned  the 
stifled  words.  The  efforts  of  the  oar  were  frenzied, 
and  at  each  stroke  the  light  gondola  appeared  to 
rise  from  its  element. 

"  Jacopo — hither — dear  Jacopo  !" 

"  The  mother  of  God  aid  thee,  fisherman ! — I 
come." 

"  Jacopo — the  boy ! — the  boy ! " 

The  water  gurgled ;  an  arm  was  visible  in  me 
air,  and  it  disappeared.  The  gondola  drove  upon 
the  spot  where  the  limb  had  just  been  visible,  and  a 
backward  stroke,  that  caused  the  ashen  blade  to 
bend  like  a  reed,  laid  the  trembling  boat  motionless. 
The  furious  action  threw  the  Lagune  into  ebullition, 
but,  when  the  foam  subsided,  it  lay  calm  as  the  blue 
and  peaceful  vault  it  reflected. 

"  Antonio ! " — burst  from  the  lips  of  the  Bravo. 

A  frightful  silence  succeeded  the  call.  There  was 


240  THE   BRAVO. 

neither  answer  nor  human  form.  Jacopo  compress 
ed  the  handle  of  his  oar  with  fingers  of  iron,  and 
his  own  breathing  caused  him  to  start.  On  every 
side  he  bent  a  frenzied  eye,  and  on  every  side  he 
beheld  the  profound  repose  of  that  treacherous  ele 
ment  which  is  so  terrible  in  its  wrath.  Like  the 
human  heart,  it  seemed  to  sympathize  with  the  tran 
quil  beauty  of  the  midnight  view;  but,  like  the 
human  heart,  it  kept  its  own  fearful  secrets. 


THE    BRAVO.  241 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

"  Yet  a  few  days  and  dream-perturbed  nights, 
And  I  shall  slumber  well — but  where  ? — no  matter. 
Adieu,  my  Angiolina." 

Marino  Faliero. 

WHEN  the  Carmelite  re-entered  the  apartment  of 
Donna  Violetta,  his  face  was  covered  with  the  hue 
of  death,  and  his  limbs  with  difficulty  supported  him 
to  a  chair.  He  scarcely  observed  that  Don  Camillo 
Monforte  was  still  present,  nor  did  he  note  the  bright 
ness  and  joy  which  glowed  in  the  eyes  of  the  ardent 
Violetta.  Indeed  his  appearance  was  at  first  unseen 
by  the  happy  lovers,  for  the  Lord  of  St.  Agata  had 
succeeded  in  wresting  the  secret  from  the  breast  of 
his  mistress,  if  that  may  be  called  a  secret  which 
Italian  character  had  scarcely  struggled  to  retain, 
and  he  had  crossed  the  room  before  even  the  more 
tranquil  look  of  the  Donna  Florinda  rested  on  his 
person. 

"  Thou  art  ill!"  exclaimed  the  governess.  "  Father 
Anselmo  hath  not  been  absent  without  grave  cause !" 

The  monk  threw  back  his  cowl  for  air,  and  the 
act  discovered  the  deadly  paleness  of  his  features. 
But  his  eye,  charged  with  a  meaning  of  horror, 
rolled  over  the  faces  of  those  who  drew  around 
him,  as  if  he  struggled  with  memory  to  recall  their 
persons. 

"  Ferdinando!  Father  Anselmo!"  cried  the  Donna 
Florinda,  correcting  the  unbidden  familiarity,  though 
she  could  not  command  the  anxiety  of  her  rebel  fea 
tures ;  "  Speak  to  us — thou  art  suffering ! " 
X 


242  THE    BRAVO. 

"HI  at  heart,  Florinda." 

"Deceive  us  not — haply  thou  hast  more  evil 
tidings — Venice — " 

"Is  a  fearful  state!" 

"  Why  hast  thou  quitted  us? — why,  in  a  moment  of 
so  much  importance  to  our  pupil — a  moment  that 
may  prove  of  the  last  influence  on  her  happiness- 
hast  thou  been  absent  for  a  long  hour?" 

Violetta  turned  a  surprised  and  unconscious  glance 
towards  the  clock,  but  she  spoke  not. 

"  The  servants  of  the  state  had  need  of  me  ;w 
returned  the  monk,  easing  the  pain  of  his  spirit  by 
a  groan. 

"  I  understand  thee,  father ; — thou  hast  shrived 
a  penitent?" 

"Daughter,  I  have:  and  fewer  depart  more  at 
peace  with  God  and  their  fellows !" 

Donna  Florinda  murmured  a  short  prayer  for  the 
soul  of  the  dead,  piously  crossing  herself  as  she  con 
cluded.  Her  example  was  imitated  by  her  pupil, 
and  even  the  lips  of  Don  Camillo  moved,  while  his 
head  was  bowed  by  the  side  of  his  fair  companion, 
in  seeming  reverence. 

"'Twas  a  just  end,  father?"  demanded  Donna 
Florinda. 

"  It  was  an  unmerited  one !"  cried  the  monk,  with 
fervor,  "  or  there  is  no  faith  in  man.  I  have  wit 
nessed  the  death  of  one  who  was  better  fitted  to 
live,  as  happily  he  was  better  fitted  to  die,  than 
those  who  pronounced  his  doom.  What  a  fearful 
state  is  Venice!" 

"  And  such  are  they  who  are  masters  of  thy  per 
son,  Violetta,"  said  Don  Camillo :  "  to  these  midnight 
murderers  will  thy  happiness  be  consigned  !  Tell  us, 
lather,  does  thy  sad  tragedy  touch  in  any  manner 
on  the  interests  of  this  fair  being  ?  for  we  are  encir 
cled  here  by  mysteries  that  are  as  incomprehensible, 
while  they  are  nearly  as  fearful,  as  fate  itself," 


THE   BRAVO.  243 

The  monk  looked  from  one  to  the  other,  and  a 
more  human  expression  began  to  appear  in  his 
countenance. 

"  Thou  art  right,"  he  said ;  "  such  are  the  men 
who  mean  to  dispose  of  the  person  of  our  pupil. 
Holy  St.  Mark,  pardon  the  prostitution  of  his  re 
vered  name,  and  shield  her  with  the  virtue  of  his 
prayers!" 

"  Father,  are  we  worthy  to  know  more  of  that 
thou  hast  witnessed?" 

"  The  secrets  of  the  confessional  are  sacred,  my 
son;  but  this  hath  been  a  disclosure  to  cover  the 
living,  and  not  the  dead,  with  shame." 

"  I  see  the  hand  of  tho«e  up  above  in  this  !"  for  so 
most  spoke  of  the  Council  of  Three.  "  They  have 
tampered  with  my  right,  for  years,  to  suit  their  self 
ish  purposes,  and,  to  my  shame  must  I  own  it,  they 
have  driven  me  to  a  submission,  in  order  to  obtain 
justice,  that  as  ill  accords  with  my  feelings  as  with 
my  character." 

"  Nay,  Camillo,  thou  art  incapable  of  this  injustice 
to  thyself!" 

"  'Tis  a  fearful  government,  dearest,  and  its  fruits 
are  equally  pernicious  to  the  ruler  and  the  subject. 
It  hath,  of  all  other  dangers  the  greatest,  the  curse 
of  secrecy  on  its  intentions,  its  acts,  and  its  respon 
sibilities  ! " 

"  Thou  sayest  true,  my  son ;  there  is  no  security 
against  oppression  and  wrong  in  a  state,  but  the  fear 
of  God,  or  the  fear  of  man.  Of  the  first,  Venice 
hath  none,  for  too  many  souls  share  the  odium  of 
her  sins ;  and  as  for  the  last,  her  deeds  are  hid  from 
their  knowledge." 

"  We  speak  boldly,  for  those  who  live  beneath  her 
^aws,"  observed  Donna  Florinda,  glancing  a  look 
timidly  around  her.  "As  we  can  neither  change 
nor  amend  the  practices  of  the  state,  better  that  we 
should  be  silent." 


244  THE    BRAVO. 

"  If  we  cannot  alter  the  power  of  the  council,  we 
may  elude  it,"  hastily  answered  Don  Camillo,  though 
he  too  dropped  his  voice,  and  assured  himself  of 
their  security,  by  closing  the  casement,  and  casting 
his  eyes  towards  the  different  doors  of  the  room. 
"  Are  you  assured  of  the  fidelity  of  the  menials 
Donna  Florinda  1" 

"  Far  from  it,  Signore ;  we  have  those  who  are 
of  ancient  service  and  of  tried  character ;  but  we 
have  those  who  are  named  by  the  senator,  Gradeni- 
go,  and  who  are  doubtless  no  other  than  the  agents 
of  the  state." 

"  In  this  manner  do  they  pry  into  the  privacy  of 
all !  I  am  compelled  to  entertain,  in  my  palace,  var- 
lets  that  I  know  to  be  their  hirelings ;  and  yet  do  I 
find  it  better  to  seem  unconscious  of  their  views,  lest 
they  environ  me  in  a  manner  that  I  cannot  even  sus 
pect.  Think  you,  father,  that  my  presence  here  hath 
escaped  the  spies?" 

"  It  would  be  to  hazard  much  were  we  to  rely  on 
such  security.  None  saw  us  enter,  as  I  think,  for  we 
used  the  secret  gate  and  the  more  private  entrance ; 
but  who  is  certain  of  being  unobserved  when  every 
fifth  eye  is  that  of  a  mercenary  ? " 

The  terrified  Violetta  laid  her  hand  on  the  arm  of 
her  lover. 

"  Even  now,  Camillo,"  she  said,  "  thou  mayest  be 
observed,  and  secretly  devoted  to  punishment!" 

"  If  seen,  doubt  it  not :  St.  Mark  will  never  par 
don  so  bold  an  interference  with  his  pleasure.  And 
yet,  sweetest  Violetta,  to  gain  thy  favor,  this  risk  is 
nothing ;  nor  will  a  far  greater  hazard  turn  me  fibm 
my  purpose." 

"  These  inexperienced  and  confiding  spirits  have 
taken  advantage  of  my  absence  to  communicate  more 
freely  than  was  discreet ;"  said  the  Carmelite,  in  the 
manner  of  one  who  foresaw  the  answer. 


THE   BRAVO.  245 

"  Father,  nature  is  too  strong  for  the  weak  pre 
ventives  of  prudence." 

The  brow  of  the  monk  became  clouded.  His  com 
panions  watched  the  workings  of  his  mind,  as  they 
appeared  in  a  countenance  that  in  common  was  so 
benevolent,  though  always  sad.  For  a  few  moments 
none  broke  the  silence. 

The  Carmelite  at  length  demanded,  raising  his 
troubled  look  to  the  countenance  of  Don  Camillo — 

"  Hast  thou  duly  reflected  on  the  consequences  of 
this  rashness,  son  ?  What  dost  thou  purpose,  in  thus 
braving  the  anger  of  the  republic,  and  in  setting  at 
defiance  her  arts,  her  secret  means  of  intelligence, 
and  her  terrors'?" 

"  Father,  I  have  reflected  as  all  of  my  years  re 
flect,  when  in  heart  and  soul  they  love.  I  have  brought 
myself  to  feel  that  any  misery  would  be  happiness 
compared  to  the  loss  of  Violetta,  and  that  no  risk 
can  exceed  the  reward  of  gaining  her  favor.  Thus 
much  for  the  first  of  thy  questions — for  the  last  I  can 
only  say  that  I  am  too  much  accustomed  to  the  wiles 
of  the  senate  to  be  a  novice  in  the  means  of  coun 
teracting  them." 

"  There  is  but  one  language  for  youth,  when  se 
duced  by  that  pleasing  delusion  which  paints  the  fu 
ture  with  hues  of  gold.  Age  and  experience  may 
condemn  it,  but  the  weakness  will  continue  to  pre 
vail  in  all,  until  life  shall  appear  in  its  true  colors. 
Duke  of  Sant'  Agata,  though  a  noble  of  high  lineage 
and  illustrious  name,  and  though  lord  of  many  vas 
sals,  thou  art  not  a  power — thou  canst  not  declare 
thy  palace  in  Venice  a  fortress,  nor  send  a  herald 
to  the  doge  with  defiance." 

"  True,  reverend   monk ;  I  cannot  do   this ;  no., 
would  it  be  well  for  him  who  could,  to  trust  his  for 
tune  on  so  reckless  a  risk.  But  the  states  of  St.  Mark 
do  not  cover  the  earth — we  can  fly." 
X2 


246  THE    BRAVO 

"  The  senate  hath  a  long  arm ;  and  it  hath  a  thou- 
sand  secret  hands." 

"  None  know  it  better  than  I ;  still  it  does  no  vio 
lence  without  motive ;  the  faith  of  their  ward  irre 
trievably  mine,  the  evil,  as  respects  them,  becomei 
irreparable." 

"  Think'st  thou  so !  Means  would  quickly  be  found 
to  separate  you.  Believe  not  that  Venice  would 
be  thwarted  of  its  design  so  easily ;  the  wealth  of 
a  house  like  this  would  purchase  many  an  unworthy 
suitor,  and  thy  right  would  be  disregarded,  or  haply 
denied." 

"But,  father,  the  ceremony  of  the  church  may 
not  be  despised!"  exclaimed  Violetta;  "it  comes  from 
heaven  and  is  sacred." 

"  Daughter,  I  say  it  with  sorrow,  but  the  great  and 
the  powerful  find  means  even  to  set  aside  that  ven 
erable  and  holy  sacrament.  Thine  own  gold  would 
serve  to  seal  thy  misery." 

"  This  might  arrive,  father,  were  we  to  continue 
within  the  grasp  of  St.  Mark,"  interrupted  the  Nea 
politan  ;  "  but  once  beyond  his  borders,  't  would  be 
a  bold  interference  with  the  right  of  a  foreign  state 
to  lay  hand  on  our  persons.  More  than  this,  I  have 
a  castle,  in  St.  Agata,  that  will  defy  their  most  se 
cret  means,  until  events  might  happen  which  should 
render  it  more  prudent  for  them  to  desist  than  to  per 
severe." 

"  This  reason  hath  force  wert  thou  within  the  walls 
of  St.  Agata,  instead  of  being,  as  thou  art,  among 
the  canals." 

"  Here  is  one  of  Calabria,  a  vassal  born  of  mine, 
a  certain  Stefano  Milano,  the  padrone  of  a  Sorren- 
tine  felucca,  now  lying  in  the  port ;  the  man  is  in  strict 
amity  with  my  own  gondolier — he  who  was  third 
in  this  day's  race.  Art  thou  ill,  father,  that  thou  ap 
pearest  troubled  ?" 


THE  BRAVO.  247 

"  Proceed  with  thy  expedient,"  answered  the 
iionk,  motioning  that  he  wished  not  to  be  observed. 

"  My  faithful  Gino  reports  that  this  Stefano  is  on 
the  canals,  on  some  errand  of  the  republic,  as  he 
thirks,  for  though  the  mariner  is  less  disposed  to  fa 
miliarity  than  is  wont,  he  hath  let  drop  hints  that 
lead  to  such  a  conclusion — the  felucca  is  ready, 
from  hour  to  hour,  to  put  upon  the  sea,  and  doubt 
not  the  padrone  would  rather  serve  his  natural  lord 
than  these  double-dealing  miscreants  of  the  senate. 
I  can  pay  as  well  as  they,  if  served  to  my  pleasure , 
and  I  can  punish  too,  when  offended." 

"  There  is  reason  in  this,  Signore,  wert  thou  be 
yond  the  wiles  of  this  mysterious  city.  But  in  what 
manner  canst  thou  embark,  without  drawing  the 
notice  of  those,  who  doubtless  watch  our  move 
ments,  on  thy  person?" 

"  There  are  maskers  on  the  canals  at  all  hours, 
and  if  Venice  be  so  impertinent  in  her  system  of 
watchfulness,  thou  knowest,  father,  that,  without  ex 
traordinary  motive,  that  disguise  is  sacred.  With 
out  this  narrow  privilege,  the  town  would  not  be 
habitable  a  day." 

"  I  fear  the  result ;"  observed  the  hesitating  monk, 
while  it  was  evident,  from  the  thoughtfulness  of  his 
countenance,  that  he  calculated  the  chances  of  the 
adventure.  "If  known  and  arrested,  we  are  all 
lost!" 

"  Trust  me,  father,  that  thy  fortune  shall  not  be 
forgotten,  even  in  that  unhappy  issue.  I  have  an 
uncle,  as  you  know,  high  in  the  favor  of  the  pontiff, 
and  who  wears  the  scarlet  hat.  I  pledge  to  you  the 
honor  of  a  cavalier,  all  my  interest  with  this  relative, 
to  gain  such  intercession  from  the  church  as  shall 
weaken  the  blow  to  her  servant." 

The  features  of  the  Carmelite  flushed,  and,  for 
the  first  time,  the  ardent  young  noble  observed 


248  THE    BRAVO. 

around  his  ascetic  mouth  an  expression  of  worldly 
pride. 

"  Thou  hast  unjustly  rated  my  apprehensions; 
Lord  of  St.  Agata,"  he  said  ;  "  I  fear  not  for  myself; 
but  for  others.  This  tender  and  lovely  child  hath 
not  been  confided  to  my  care,  without  creating  a 
parental  solicitude  in  her  behalf,  and" — he  paused, 
and  seemed  to  struggle  with  himself — "  I  have  too 
long  known  the  mild  and  womanly  virtues  of  Donna 
Florinda,  to  witness,  with  indifference,  her  exposure 
to  a  near  and  fearful  danger.  Abandon  our  charge 
we  cannot ;  nor  do  I  see  in  what  manner,  as  pru 
dent  and  watchful  guardians,  we  may  in  any  man 
ner  consent  to  this  risk.  Let  us  hope  that  they  whc 

Severn  will  yet  consult  the  honor  and  happiness  of 
onna  Violetta." 

"  That  were  to  hope  the  winged  lion  would  be 
come  a  lamb,  or  the  dark  and  soulless  senate  a  com 
munity  of  self-mortifying  and  godly  Carthusians ! 
No,  reverend  monk,  we  must  seize  the  happy  mo 
ment,  and  none  is  likely  to  be  more  fortunate  than 
this,  or  trust  our  hopes  to  a  cold  and  calculating 
policy,  that  disregards  all  motives  but  its  own  object. 
An  hour,  nay,  half  the  time,  would  suffice  to  apprize 
the  mariner,  and  ere  the  morning  light,  we  might 
see  the  domes  of  Venice  sinking  into  their  own 
hated  Lagunes." 

"  These  are  the  plans  of  confident  youth,  quicken 
ed  by  passion.  Believe  me,  son,  it  is  not  easy  as 
thou  imaginest,  to  mislead  the  agents  ot  the  police. 
This  palace  could  not  be  quitted,  the  felucca  entered, 
or  any  one  of  the  many  necessary  steps  hazarded, 
without  drawing  upon  us  their  eyes.  Hark! — I 
hear  the  wash  of  oars — a  gondola  is  even  now  at 
the  water-gate !" 

Donna  Florinda  went  hastily  to  the  balcony,  and 
as  quickly  returned  to  report  that  she  had  seen  an 
officer  of  the  republic  enter  the  palace.  There  was 


THE   BRAVO.  249 

no  time  to  lose,  and  Don  Camillo  was  again  urged 
to  conceal  himself  in  the  little  oratory.  This  neces 
sary  caution  had  hardly  been  observed  before  the 
door  of  the  room  opened,  and  the  privileged  mes 
senger  of  the  senate  announced  his  own  appearance 
It  was  the  very  individual  who  had  presided  at  the 
fearful  execution  of  the  fisherman,  arid  who  had 
already  announced  the  cessation  of  the  Sigrior  Gra 
denigo's  powers.  His  eye  glanced  suspiciously 
around  the  room,  as  he  entered,  and  the  Carmelite 
trembled  in  every  limb,  at  the  look  which  encounter 
ed  his  own.  But  all  immediate  apprehensions  van 
ished,  when  the  usual  artful  smile,  with  which  he 
was  wont  to  soften  his  disagreeable  communications 
took  place  of  the  momentary  expression  of  a  vague 
and  an  habitual  suspicion. 

"  Noble  lady,"  he  said,  bowing  with  deference  to 
the  rank  of  her  he  addressed,  "  you  may  learn  by 
this  assiduity,  on  the  part  of  their  servant,  the  inter 
est  which  the  senate  takes  in  your  welfare.  Anxious 
to  do  you  pleasure,  and  ever  attentive  to  the  wishes 
of  one  so  young,  it  hath  been  decided  to  give  you 
the  amusement  and  variety  of  another  scene,  at  a 
season  when  the  canals  of  our  city  become  disa  • 
greeable,  from  their  warmth  and  the  crowds  which 
live  in  the  air.  I  am  sent  to  request  you  will  make 
such  preparations,  as  may  befit  your  convenience 
during  a  few  months'  residence  in  a  purer  atmo 
sphere,  and  that  this  may  be  done  speedily ;  as  your 
journey,  always  to  prevent  discomfort  to  yourself, 
will  commence  before  the  rising  of  the  sun." 

"  This  is  short  notice,  Signore,  for  a  female  about 
to  o^it  the  dwelling  of  her  ancestors !" 

"  St.  Mark  suffers  his  love  and  parental  care  to 
overlook  the  vain  ceremonies  of  form.  It  is  thus 
the  parent  dealeth  with  the  child.  There  is  little 
need  of  unusual  notice,  since  it  will  be  the  business 
of  the  government  to  see  all  that  is  necessary  dis- 


250  THE    BRAVO. 

patched  to  the  residence,  which  is  to  be  honored 
with  the  presence  of  so  illustrious  a  lady." 

"  For  myself,  Signore,  little  preparation  is  needed 
But  I  fear  the  train  of  servitors,  that  befit  my  con 
dition,  will  require  more  leisure  for  their  arrange 
ments." 

"  Lady,  that  embarrassment  hath  been  foreseen 
and  to  remove  it,  the  council  hath  decided  to  supply 
you  with  the  only  attendant  you  will  require,  during 
an  absence  from  the  city  which  will  be  so  short." 

"  How,  Signore  !  am  I  to  be  separated  from  my 
people  ?" 

"  From  the  hired  menials  of  your  palace,  lady,  to 
be  confided  to  those  who  will  serve  your  person, 
from  a  nobler  motive." 

"  And  my  maternal  friend — my  ghostly  adviser  ?  ' 

"  They  will  be  permitted  to  repose  from  their 
trusts,  during  your  absence." 

An  exclamation  from  Donna  Florinda,  and  an  in 
voluntary  movement  of  the  monk,  betrayed  their 
mutual  concern.  Donna  Violetta  suppressed  the 
exhibition  of  her  own  resentment,  and  of  her  wound 
ed  affections,  by  a  powerful  effort,  in  which  she  was 
greatly  sustained  by  her  pride ;  but  she  could  not 
entirely  conceal  the  anguish  of  another  sort,  that 
was  seated  in  her  eye. 

"  Do  I  understand  that  this  prohibition  extends  to 
her,  who,  in  common,  serves  my  person?" 

"  Signora,  such  are  my  instructions." 

"  Is  it  expected  that  Violetta  Tiepolo  will  do  these 
menial  offices  for  herself?" 

"Signora,  no.  A  most  excellent  and  agreeable 
attendant  has  been  provided  for  that  duty.  Annina," 
he  continued,  approaching  the  door,  "  thy  noble  mis 
tress  is  impatient  to  see  thee." 

As  he  spoke,  the  daughter  of  the  wine-seller  ap 
peared.  She  wore  an  air  of  assumed  humility,  but 


THE    BllAVO.  251 

It  was  accompanied  by  a  secret  mien,  that  betrayed 
independence  of  the  pleasure  of  her  new  mistress. 

"  And  this  damsel  is  to  be  my  nearest  confidant !" 
exclaimed  Donna  Violetta,  after  studying  the  artful 
and  demure  countenance  of  the  girl,  a  moment,  with 
a  dislike  she  did  not  care  to  conceal. 

"  Such  hath  been  the  solicitude  of  your  illustriou 
guardians,  lady.  As  the  damsel  is  instructed  in  all 
that  is  necessary,  I  will  intrude  no  longer,  but  take 
my  leave,  recommending  that  you  improve  the  hours, 
which  are  now  few,  between  this  and  the  rising  sun, 
that  you  may  profit  by  the  morning  breeze  in  quit 
ting  the  city." 

The  officer  glanced  another  look  around  the  room, 
more,  however,  through  habitual  caution  than  any 
other  reason,  bowed,  and  departed. 

A  profound  and  sorrowful  silence  succeeded. 
Then  the  apprehension  that  Don  Camillo  might  mis 
take  their  situation  and  appear,  flashed  upon  the  mind 
of  Violetta,  and  she  hastened  to  apprize  him  of  the 
danger,  by  speaking  to  the  new  attendant. 

"Thou  hast  served  before  this,  Annina?"  she 
asked  so  loud  as  to  permit  the  words  to  be  heard  in 
the  oratory. 

"  Never  a  lady  so  beautiful  and  illustrious,  Signora 
But  I  hope  to  make  myself  agreeable  to  one  that  I 
hear  is  kind  to  all  around  her." 

"  Thou  art  not  new  to  the  flattery  of  thy  class ; 
go  then,  and  acquaint  my  ancient  attendants  with 
this  sudden  resolution,  that  I  may  not  disappoint  the 
council  by  tardiness.  I  commit  all  to  thy  care,  An- 
nina,  since  thou  knowest  the  pleasure  of  my  guar 
dians — those  without  will  furnish  the  means." 

The  girl  lingered,  and  her  watchful  observers 
noted  suspicion  and  hesitation  in  her  reluctant  man 
ner  of  compliance.  She  obeyed,  however,  leaving 
the  room  with  the  domestic  Donna  Violetta  sum 
moned  from  the  antechamber  The  instant  the  door 


252  THE   BRAVO. 

was  closed  behind  her,  Don  Camillo  was  in  the 
group,  and  the  whole  four  stood  regarding  each 
other  in  a  common  panic. 

"Canst  thou  still  hesitate,  father?"  demanded 
the  lover. 

"  Not  a  moment,  my  son,  did  I  see  the  means  of 
accomplishing  flight." 

"  How  !  Thou  wilt  not  then  desert  me  !"  exclaim 
ed  Violetta,  kissing  his  hands  in  joy.  "  Nor  thou, 
my  second  mother !" 

"  Neither,"  answered  the  governess,  who  possess 
ed  intuitive  means  of  comprehending  the  resolutions 
of  the  monk ;  "  we  will  go  with  thee,  love,  to  the 
Castle  of  St.  Agata,  or  to  the  dungeon  of  St.  Mark." 

"Virtuous  and  sainted  Florinda,  receive  my 
thanks!"  cried  the  reprieved  Violetta,  clasping  her 
hands  on  her  bosom,  with  an  emotion  in  which  piety 
and  gratitude  were  mingled. — "  Camillo,  we  await 
thy  guidance." 

"  Refrain,"  observed  the  monk, — "  a  footstep — thy 
concealment." 

Don  Camillo  was  scarce  hid  from  view,  when 
Annina  reappeared.  She  had  the  same  suspicious 
manner  of  glancing  her  eye  around,  as  the  official, 
and  it  would  seem,  by  the  idle  question  she  put,  that 
her  entrance  had  some  other  object  than  the  mere 
pretence  which  she  made  of  consulting  her  new  mis 
Cress's  humor  in  the  color  of  a  robe. 

"  Do  as  thou  wilt,  girl,"  said  Violetta,  with  impa- 
once;  "thou  knowest  the  place  of  my  intended  re- 

•e  nent,  and  canst  judge  of  the  fitness  of  my  attire 

•  s! en  thy  preparations,  that  I  be  not  the  cause  of 
-iv.  Enrico,  attend  my  new  maid  to  the  vvard- 
>e." 

nnina  reluctantly  withdrew,  for  she  was  far  toe 
h  practised  in  wiles  not  to  distrust  this  uiicxpt^t- 

.  v Compliance  with  the  will  of  the  council,  or  not  tc 
;  erceive  that  she  was  admitted  with  displeasure  to 


THE    BRAVO.  253 

the  discharge  of  her  new  duties.  As  the  faithful  do 
mestic  of  Donna  Violetta  kept  at  her  side,  she  was 
fain,  however,  to  submit,  and  suffered  herself  to  be 
led  a  few  steps  from  the  door.  Suddenly  pretending 
to  recollect  a  new  question,  she  returned  with  so 
much  rapidity,  as  to  be  again  in  the  room,  before 
Enrico  could  anticipate  the  intention. 

"  Daughter,  complete  thy  errands,  and  forbear  to 
interrupt  our  privacy,"  said  the  monk,  sternly. — "  I 
am  about  to  confess  this  penitent,  who  may  pine  long 
for  the  consolations  of  the  holy  office,  ere  we  meet 
again.  If  thou  hast  not  aught  urgent,  withdraw,  ere 
thou  seriously  givest  offence  to  the  church." 

The  seventy  of  the  Carmelite's  tone,  and  the  com 
manding,  though  subdued  gleaming  of  his  eye,  had 
the  effect  to  awe  the  girl.  Quailing  before  his  look, 
and  in  truth  startled  at  the  risk  she  ran  in  offending 
against  opinions  so  deeply  seated  in  the  minds  of  all, 
and  from  which  her  own  superstitious  habits  were 
far  from  free,  she  muttered  a  few  words  of  apology, 
and  finally  withdrew.  There  was  another  uneasy 
and  suspicious  glance  thrown  around  her,  however, 
before  the  door  was  closed.  When  they  were  once 
more  alone,  the  monk  motioned  for  silence  to  the 
impetuous  Don  Camiflo,  who  could  scarce  restrain 
his  impatience  until  the  intruder  departed. 

"  Son,  be  prudent,"  he  said ;  "  we  are  in  the  midst 
of  treachery ;  in  this  unhappy  city  none  know  in 
whom  they  can  confide." 

"  I  think  we  are  sure  of  Enrico,"  said  the  Donna 
Florinda,  though  the  very  doubts  she  affected  not  *o 
feel,  lingered  in  the  tones  of  her  voice. 

•'  It  matters  not,  daughter. — He  is  ignorant  of  the 
presence  of  Don  Camillo,  and  in  that  we  are  safe. 
Duke  of  Sant'  Agata,  if  you  can  deliver  us  from  these 
toils,  we  will  accompany  you." 

A  cry  of  joy  was  near  bursting  from  the  lips  of 
Violetta ;  but  obedient  to  the  eye  of  the  monk,  she 
Y 


254  THE   BRAVO 

turned  to  her  lover,  as  if  to  learn  his  decision.  The 
expression  of  Don  Camillo's  face  was  the  pledge  of 
his  assent.  Without  speaking,  he  wrote  hastily,  with 
a  pencil,  a  few  words  on  the  envelope  of  a  letter, 
and  inclosing  a  piece  of  coin  in  its  folds,  he  moved 
with  a  cautious  step  to  the  balcony.  A  signal  was 
given,  and  all  aw7aited  in  breathless  silence  the  an 
swer.  Presently  they  heard  the  wash  of  the  water 
caused  by  the  movement  of  a  gondola  beneath  the 
window.  Stepping  forward  again,  Don  Camillo 
dropped  the  paper  with  such  precision,  that  he  dis 
tinctly  heard  the  fall  of  the  coin  in  the  bottom  of  the 
boat.  The  gondolier  scarce  raised  his  eyes  to  the 
balcony,  but  commencing  an  air  much  used  on  the 
canals,  he  swept  onward,  like  one  whose  duty  called 
for  no  haste. 

"  That  has  succeeded!"  said  Don  Camillo,  when 
he  heard  the  song  of  Gino.  "  In  an  hour  my  agent 
will  have  secured  the  felucca,  and  all  now  depends 
on  our  own  means  of  quitting  the  palace  unobserved 
My  people  will  await  us,  shortly,  and  perhaps 
'twould  be  well  to  trust  openly  to  our  speed  in  gain 
ing  the  Adriatic." 

"  There  is  a  solemn  and  necessary  duty  to  per 
form,"  observed  the  monk ; — "  daughters,  withdraw 
to  your  rooms,  and  occupy  yourselves  with  the  pre 
paration  necessary  for  your  flight,  which  may  readi 
ly  be  made  to  appear  as  intended  to  meet  tht 
senate's  pleasure.  In  a  few  minutes  I  shall  summoi; 
you  hither,  again." 

Wondering,  but  obedient,  the  females  withdrew 
The  Carmelite  then  made  a  brief  but  clea  r  explana 
tion  of  his  intention.  Don  Camillo  listened  eagorly 
and  when  the  other  had  done  speaking  they  retired 
together  into  the  oratory.  Fifteen  minutes  had  not 
passed,  before  the  monk  reappeared,  alone,  and 
touched  the  bell,  which  communicated  with  the 


THE   BRAVO.  255 

closet  of  Violetta.  Donna  Florinda  and  her  pupil 
were  quickly  in  the  room. 

"  Prepare  thy  mind  for  the  confessional,"  said  the 
priest,  placing  himself,  with  grave  dignity,  in  that 
chair  which  he  habitually  used,  when  listening  to 
the  self-accusations  and  failings  of  his  spiritual  child. 

The  brow  of  Violetta  paled  and  flushed  again,  as 
if  there  lay  a  heavy  sin  on  her  conscience.  She 
turned  an  imploring  look  on  her  maternal  monitor, 
in  whose  mild  features  she  met  an  encouraging 
smile,  and  then,  with  a  beating  heart,  though  ill-col 
lected  for  the  solemn  duty,  but  with  a  decision  that 
the  occasion  required,  she  knelt  on  the  cushion  at 
the  feet  of  the  monk. 

The  murmured  language  of  Donna  Violetta  was 
audible  to  none  but  him  for  whose  paternal  ear  it 
was  intended,  and  that  dread  Being  whose  just  an 
ger  it  was  hoped  it  might  lessen.  But  Don  Camillo 
gazed,  through  the  half-opened  door  of  the  chapel, 
on  the  kneeling  form,  the  clasped  hands,  and  the  up-, 
lifted  countenance  of  the  beautiful  penitent.  As  she 
proceeded  with  the  acknowledgment  of  her  errors, 
the  flush  on  her  cheek  deepened,  and  a  pious  ex 
citement  kindled  in  those  eyes,  which  he  had  so 
lately  seen  glowing  with  a  very  different  passion. 
The  ingenuous  and  disciplined  soul  of  Violetta  was 
not  so  quickly  disburthened  of  its  load  of  sin  as  that 
of  the  more  practised  mind  of  the  Lord  of  Sant' 
Agata.  The  latter  fancied  that  he  could  trace  in 
the  movement  of  her  lips  the  sound  of  his  own  name, 
and  a  dozen  times  during  the  confession,  he  thought 
he  could  even  comprehend  sentences  of  which  he 
himself  was  the  subject.  Twice  the  good  father 
smiled,  involuntarily,  and  at  each  indiscretion,  he 
laid  a  hand  in  affection  on  the  bared  head  of  the 
suppliant.  But  Violetta  ceased  to  speak,  and  the 
absolution  was  pronounced,  with  a  fervor  that  the 


256  THE  BRAVO. 

remarkable  circumstances,  in  which  they  all  stood, 
did  not  fail  to  heighten. 

When  this  portion  of  his  duty  was  ended,  the 
Carmelite  entered  the  oratory.  With  steady  hands 
he  lighted  the  candles  of  the  altar,  and  made  the 
other  dispositions  for  the  mass.  During  this  interval 
Don  Camillo  was  at  the  side  of  his  mistress,  whis 
pering  with  the  warmth  of  a  triumphant  and  happy 
lover.  The  governess  stood  near  the  door,  watch 
ing  for  the  sound  of  footsteps  in  the  antechamber. 
The  monk  then  advanced  to  the  entrance  of  the  lit 
tle  chapel,  and  was  about  to  speak,  when  a  hurried 
step  from  Donna  Florinda  arrested  his  words.  Don 
Camillo  had  just  time  to  conceal  his  person  within 
the  drapery  of  a  window,  before  the  door  opened 
and  Annina  entered. 

When  the  preparations  of  the  altar  and  the  solemn 
countenance  of  the  priest  first  met  her  eye,  the  girl 
recoiled,  with  the  air  of  one  rebuked.  But  rallying 
her  thoughts,  with  that  readiness  which  had  gained 
her  the  employment  she  filled,  she  crossed  herself, 
reverei.  ily,  and  took  a  place  apart,  like  one  who, 
while  she  knew  her  station,  wished  to  participate  in 
the  mysteries  of  the  holy  office. 

"  Daughter,  none  wrho  commence  this  mass  with 
us,  can  quit  the  presence,  ere  it  be  completed ;"  ob 
served  the  monk. 

"  Father,  it  is  my  duty  to  be  near  the  person  of 
my  mistress,  and  it  is  a  happiness  to  be  near  it  on 
the  occasion  of  this  early  matin." 

The  monk  was  embarrassed.  He  looked  from  one 
to  the  other,  in  indecision,  and  was  about  to  frame 
some  pretence  to  get  rid  of  the  intruder,  when  Don 
Camillo  appeared  in  the  middle  of  the  room. 

"Reverend  monk,  proceed,"  he  said;  "'tis  but 
another  witness  of  my  happiness." 

While  speaking,  the  noble  touched  the  handle  of 
his  sword,  significantly,  with  a  finger,  and  cast  a 


THE  BRAVO.  257 

look  at  the  half-petrified  Annina,  which  effectually 
controlled  the  exclamation  that  was  about  to  escape 
her.  The  monk  appeared  to  understand  the  terms 
of  this  silent  compact;  for  with  a  deep  voice  he 
commenced  the  offices  of  the  mass.  The  singularity 
of  their  situation,  the  important  results  of  the  act  i 
which  they  were  engaged,  the  impressive  dignity 
of  the  Carmelite,  and  the  imminent  hazard  which 
they  all  ran  of  exposure,  together  with  the  certainty 
of  punishment  for  their  daring  to  thwart  the  will  of 
Venice,  if  betrayed,  caused  a  deeper  feeling,  than 
that  which  usually  pervades  a  marriage  ceremony, 
to  preside  at  nuptials  thus  celebrated.  The  youthfui 
Violetta  trembled  at  every  intonation  of  the  solemn 
voice  of  the  monk,  and  towards  the  close,  she  lean 
ed  in  helplessness  on  the  arm  of  the  man  to  whom 
she  had  just  plighted  her  vows.  The  eye  of  the 
Carmelite  kindled,  as  he  proceeded  with  the  office, 
however ;  and,  long  ere  he  had  done,  he  had  ob 
tained  such  a  command  over  the  feelings  of  even 
Annina,  as  to  hold  her  mercenary  spirit  in  awe 
The  final  union  was  pronounced,  arid  the  benedic 
tion  given. 

"  Maria,  of  pure  memory,  watch  over  thy  happi 
ness,  daughter  !"  said  the  monk,  for  the  first  time  in 
his  life  saluting  the  fair  brow  of  the  weeping  bride. 
— "  Duke  of  Sant'  Agata,  may  thy  patron  hear  thy 
prayers,  as  thou  provest  kind  to  this  innocent  and 
confiding  child !" 

"  Amen ! — Ha ! — we  are  not  too  soon  united,  my 
Violetta ;  I  hear  the  sound  of  oars." 

A  glance  from  the  balcony  assured  him  of  the  trutn 
of  his  words,  and  rendered  it  apparent  that  it  had 
now  become  necessary  to  take  the  most  decided  step 
of  all.  A  six-oared  gondola,  of  a  size  suited  to  en 
dure  the  waves  of  the  Adriatic  at  that  mild  season, 
and  with  a  pavilion  of  fit  dimensions,  stopped  at  the 
water-gate  of  the  palace. 
Y2 


258  THE    BRAVO 

"I  wonder  at  this  boldness!"  exclaimed  Don 
Camillo.  "  There  must  be  no  delay,  lest  some 
spy  of  the  republic  apprize  the  police.  Away, 
dearest  Violetta — away,  Donna  Florinda — Father, 
away!" 

The  governess  and  her  charge  passed  swiftly  into 
the  inner  rooms.  In  a  minute,  they  returned  bear 
ing  the  caskets  of  Donna  Violetta,  and  a  sufficient 
supply  of  necessaries,  for  a  short  voyage.  The  in 
stant  they  reappeared,  all  was  ready ;  for  Don  Ca 
millo  had  long  held  himself  prepared  for  this  deci 
sive  moment,  and  the  self-denying  Carmelite  had  lit 
tle  need  of  superfluities.  It  was  no  moment  for  un 
necessary  explanation  or  trivial  objections. 

"  Our  hope  is  in  celerity,"  said  Don  Camillo ;  "  se 
crecy  is  impossible." 

He  was  still  speaking,  when  the  monk  led  the  way 
from  the  room.  Donna  Florinda  and  the  half-breath 
less  Violetta  followed ;  Don  Camillo  drew  the  arm 
of  Annina  under  his  own,  and  in  a  low  voice  bid  her, 
at  her  peril,  refuse  to  obey. 

The  long  suite  of  outer  rooms  was  passed,  with 
out  meeting  a  single  observer  of  the  extraordinary 
movement.  But  when  the  fugitives  entered  the  great 
hall,  that 'communicated  with  the  principal  stairs,  they 
found  themselves  in  the  centre  of  a  dozen  menials 
of  both  sexes. 

"  Place,"  cried  the  Duke  of  Sant'  Agata,  whose 
person  and  voice  were  alike  unknown  to  them. 
"  Your  mistress  will  breathe  the  air  of  the  canals." 

Wonder  and  curiosity  were  alive  in  every  coun 
tenance,  but  suspicion  and  eager  attention  were  up 
permost  in  the  features  of  many.  The  foot  of  Don 
na  Violetta  had  scarcely  touched  the  pavement  of 
the  lower  hall,  when  several  menials  glided  down 
the  flight,  and  quitted  the  palace,  by  its  different  out 
lets.  Each  sought  those  who  engaged  him  in  the 
service.  One  flew  along  the  narrow  streets  of  tho 


THE  BRAVO.  259 

islands,  to  the  residence  of  the  Signor  Gradenigo ; 
another  sought  his  son;  and  one,  ignorant  of  the 
person  of  him  he  served,  actually  searched  an  agent 
of  Don  Camillo,  to  impart  a  circumstance  in  which 
that  noble  was  himself  so  conspicuous  an  actor.  To 
such  a  pass  of  corruption  had  double-dealing  and 
mystery  reduced  the  household  of  the  fairest  and 
richest  in  Venice !  The  gondola  lay  at  the  marble 
steps  of  the  water-gate,  held  against  the  stories  by 
two  of  its  crew.  Don  Camillo  saw,  at  a  glance, 
that  the  masked  gondoliers  had  neglected  none  of  the 
precautions  he  had  prescribed,  and  he  inwardly  com 
mended  their  punctuality.  Each  wore  a  short  rapier 
at  his  girdle,  and  he  fancied  he  could  trace  be 
neath  the  folds  of  their  garments,  evidence  of  the 
presence  of  the  clumsy  fire-arms,  in  use  at  that  pe 
riod.  These  observations  were  made,  while  the  Car 
melite  and  Violetta  entered  the  boat.  Donna  Flo- 
rinda  followed,  and  Annina  was  about  to  imitate  her 
example,  when  she  was  arrested  by  the  arm  of  Don 
Camillo. 

"  Thy  service  ends  here,"  whispered  the  bride 
groom.  '*  Seek  another  mistress ;  in  fault  of  a  bet 
ter,  thou  mayest  devote  thyself  to  Venice." 

The  little  interruption  caused  Don  Camillo  to  look 
backward,  and,  for  a  single  moment,  he  paused  to 
scrutinize  the  group  of  eyes  that  crowded  the  hall 
of  the  palace,  at  a  respectful  distance. 

"  Adieu,  my  friends  !"  he  added ;  "  Those  among 
ye  who  love  your  mistress  shall  be  remembered." 

He  would  have  said  more,  but  a  rude  seizure  of 
his  arms  caused  him  to  turn  hastily  away.  He  was 
firm  in  the  grasp  of  the  two  gondoliers  who  had 
».  "nded.  While  he  was  yet  in  too  much  astonish- 
nei/  to  struggle,  Annina,  obedient  to  a  signal,  dart- 
t  <i  pa;  t  him  and  leaped  into  the  boat.  The  oars  fell 
irv  \>  tf  2  water ;  Don  Camillo  was  repelled  by  a  vio 
lent  Viove  backward  into  the  hall,  the  gondoliers 


260  THE    BRAVO. 

stepped  lightly  into  their  places,  and  the  gondola 
swept  away  from  the  steps,  beyond  the  power  of  him 
they  left  to  follow. 

"  Gino  ! — miscreant ! — what  means  this  treache 
ry?" 

The  moving  of  the  parting  gondola  was  accom 
panied  by  no  other  sound  than  the  usual  washing  of 
the  water.  In  speechless  agony,  Don  Camillo  saw 
the  boat  glide,  swifter  and  swifter  at  each  stroke  of 
the  oars,  along  the  canal,  and  then,  whirling  round 
the  angle  of  a  palace,  disappear. 

Venice  admitted  not  of  pursuit  like  another  city, 
for  there  was  no  pass-age  along  the  canal  taken  by 
the  gondola,  but  by  water.  Several  of  the  boats 
used  by  the  family,  lay  within  the  piles  on  the  great 
canal,  at  the  principal  entrance,  and  Don  Camillo 
was  about  to  rush  into  one,  and  to  seize  its  oars, 
with  his  own  hands,  when  the  usual  sounds  announc 
ed  the  approach  of  a  gondola  from  the  direction  of 
the  bridge,  that  had  so  long  served  as  a  place  of 
concealment  to  his  own  domestic.  It  soon  issued 
from  the  obscurity,  cast  by  the  shadows  of  the  houses, 
and  proved  to  be  a  large  gondola  pulled,  like  the  one 
which  had  just  disappeared,  by  six  masked  gondo 
liers.  The  resemblance  between  the  equipments  of 
the  two  was  so  exact,  that  at  first  not  onlythe  won 
dering  Camillo,  but  all  the  others  present  fancied  the 
latter,  by  some  extraordinary  speed,  had  already 
made  the  tour  of  the  adjoining  palaces,  and  was 
once  more  approaching  the  private  entrance  of  that 
of  Donna  Violetta. 

"  Gino  !"  cried  the  bewildered  bridegroom. 

"  Signore  mio?"  answered  the  faithful  domestic. 

"Draw  nearer,  varlet.  What  meaneth  this  idle 
trifling,  at  a  moment  like  this?" 

Don  Camillo  leaped  a  fearful  distance,  and  happily 
lie  reached  the  gondola.  To  pass  the  men  a^d  rush 


THE    BRAVO.  261 

ifUo  the  canopy  needed  but  a  moment;  to  perceive 
that  it  was  empty  was  the  work  of  a  glance. 

"  Villains,  have  you  dared  to  be  false  !"  cried  the 
confounded  noble. 

At  that  instant  the  clock  of  the  city  began  to  tell 
the  hour  of  two,  and  it  was  only  as  that  appointed 
signal  sounded  heavy  and  melancholy  on  the  night- 
air,  that  the  undeceived  Camillo  got  a  certain  glimpse 
of  the  truth. 

"Gino,"  he  said,  repressing  his  voice,  like  one 
summoning  a  desperate  resolution — "  Are  thy  fel 
lows  true?" 

"As  faithful  as  your  own  vassals,  Signore." 

"  And  thou  didst  not  fail  to  deliver  the  note  to  my 
agent?" 

"  He  had  it  before  the  ink  was  dry,  eccellenza." 

"  The  mercenary  villain ! — He  told  thee  where  to 
find  the  gondola,  equipped  as  I  see  it?" 

"  Signore,  he  did ;  and  I  do  the  man  the  justice 
to  say  that  nothing  is  wanting,  either  to  speed  or 
comfort." 

"  Ay,  he  even  deals  in  duplicates,  so  tender  is  his 
care!"  muttered  Don  Camillo,  between  his  teeth.— 
"  Pull  away,  men ;  your  own  safety  and  my  hap 
piness  now  depend  on  your  arms.  A  thousand  du 
cats  if  you  equal  my  hopes — my  just  anger  if  you 
disappoint  them ! " 

Don  Camillo  threw  himself  on  the  cushions  as  he 
spoke,  in  bitterness  of  heart,  though  he  seconded  his 
words  by  a  gesture  which  bid  the  men  proceed. 
Gino,  who  occupied  the  stern  and  managed  the  di 
recting  oar,  opened  a  small  window  in  the  canopy, 
which  communicated  with  the  interior,  and  bent  to 
take  his  master's  directions  as  the  boat  sprang  ahead 
Rising  from  his  stooping  posture,  the  practised  gon 
dolier  gave  a  sweep  with  his  blade,  which  caused  the 
sluggish  element  of  the  narrow  canal  to  whirl  in  ed- 


262  THE  BRAVO. 

dies,  and  then  the  gondola  glided  into  the  great  ca 
nal,  as  if  it  obeyed  an  instinct. 


CHAPTER 

"  Why  liest  thou  so  on  the  green  earth  ? 
"Tis  not  the  hour  of  slumber : — why  so  pale  ?" 

Cain. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  his  apparent  decision,  the  Duke 
of  Sant'  Agata  was  completely  at  a  loss  in  what 
manner  to  direct  his  future  movements.  That  he 
had  been  duped,  by  one  or  more  of  the  agents,  to 
whom  he  had  been  compelled  to  confide  his  neces 
sary  preparations  for  the  flight  he  had  meditated 
several  days,  was  too  certain  to  admit  of  his  de 
ceiving  himself  with  the  hopes,  that  some  unac 
countable  mistake  was  the  cause  of  his  loss.  Ha 
saw,  at  once,  that  the  senate  was  master  of  the  per 
son  of  his  bride,  and  he  too  well  knew  its  power, 
and  its  utter  disregard  of  human  obligations,  when 
any  paramount  interest  of  the  state  was  to  be  con 
sulted,  to  doubt  for  an  instant  its  willingness  to  use 
its  advantage,  in  any  manner  that  was  most  likely  to 
contribute  to  its  own  views.  By  the  premature 
death  of  her  uncle,  Donna  Violetta  had  become  the 
heiress  of  vast  estates  in  the  dominions  of  the  church, 
and  a  compliance  with  that  jealous  and  arbitrary  law 
of  Venice,  which  commanded  all  of  its  nobles  to 
dispose  of  any  foreign  possessions  they  might  ac 
quire,  was  only  suspended  on  account  of  her  sex, 
and,  as  has  already  been  seen,  with  the  hope  of  dis 
posing  of  her  hand  in  a  manner  that  would  prove 
more  profitable  to  the  republic.  With  this  object 
still  before  them,  and  with  the  means  of  accom  1:~U 


THE  BRAVO.  263 

ing  it  in  their  own  hands,  the  bridegroom  well  knew 
.hat  his  marriage  would  not  only  be  denied,  but  he 
reared  the  witnesses  of  the  ceremony  would  be  so 
lisposed  of,  as  to  give  little  reason  ever  to  expect 
3mbarrassment  from  their  testimony.  For  himself, 
personally,  he  felt  less  apprehension,  though  he  fore 
saw  that  he  had  furnished  his  opponents  with  an  ar 
gument  that  was  likely  to  defer  to  an  indefinite  peri 
od,  if  it  did  not  entirely  defeat  his  claims  to  the 
disputed  succession.  But  he  had  already  made  up 
his  mind  to  this  result,  though  it  is  probable  that  his 
passion  for  Violetta  had  not  entirely  blinded  him  to 
the  fact,  that  her  Roman  signories  would  be  no 
unequal  offset  for  the  loss.  He  believed  that  he  might 
possibly  return  to  his  palace  with  impunity,  so  far  as 
any  personal  injury  was  concerned ;  for  the  great 
consideration  he  enjoyed  in  his  native  land,  and  the 
high  interest  he  possessed  at  the  court  of  Rome, 
were  sufficient  pledges  that  no  open  violence  would 
be  done  him.  The  chief  reason  why  his  claim  had 
been  kept  in  suspense,  was  the  wish  to  profit  by  his 
near  connexion  with  the  favorite  cardinal,  and  though 
he  had  never  been  able  entirely  to  satisfy  the  ever- 
increasing  demands  of  the  council,  in  this  respect, 
he  thought  it  probable  that  the  power  of  the  Vatican 
would  not  be  spared,  to  save  him  from  any  very  im 
minent  personal  hazard.  Still  he  had  given  the  state 
of  Venice  plausible  reasons  for  severity,  and  liberty, 
just  at  that  moment,  was  of  so  much  importance, 
that  he  dreaded  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  officials, 
as  one  of  the  greatest  misfortunes  which  could  mo 
mentarily  overtake  him.  He  so  well  knew  the 
crooked  policy  of  those  with  whom  he  had  to  deal, 
that  he  believed  he  might  be  arrested  solely  that  the 
government  could  make  an  especial  merit  of  his  future 
release,  under  circumstances  of  so  seeming  gravity 
His  order  to  Gino,  therefore,  had  been  to  pull  down 
the  principal  passage  toward  the  port 


264  THE    BRAVO. 

Before  the  gondola,  which  sprung  at  each  united 
effort  of  its  crew,  like  some  bounding  animal,  enter 
ed  among  the  shipping,  its  master  had  time  to  re 
cover  his  self-possession,  and  to  form  some  hasty 
plans  for  the  future.  Making  a  signal  for  the  crew 
to  cease  rowing,  he  came  from  beneath  the  canopy 
Notwithstanding  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  boats 
were  plying  on  the  water  within  the  town,  and  the 
song  was  still  audible  on  the  canals.  But  among  the 
mariners  a  general  stillness  prevailed,  such  as  befitted 
their  toil  during  the  day,  and  their  ordinary  habits. 

"  Call  the  first  idle  gondolier  of  thy  acquaintance 
hither,  Gino,"  said  Don  Camillo,  with  assumed  calm 
ness  ;  "  I  would  question  him." 

In  less  than  a  minute  he  was  gratified. 

"  Hast  seen  any  strongly  manned  gondola  plying, 
of  late,  in  this  part  of  the  canal?"  demanded  Don 
Camillo,  of  the  man  they  had  stopped. 

"  None,  but  this  of  your  own,  Signore  ;  which  is 
the  fastest  of  all  that  passed  beneath  the  Rialto,  in 
this  day's  regatta." 

"  How  knowest  thou,  friend,  aught  of  the  speed 
of  my  boat?" 

"  Signore,  I  have  pulled  an  oar  on  the  canals  of 
Venice  six-and-twenty  years,  and  I  do  not  remem 
ber  to  have  seen  a  gondola  move  more  swiftly  on 
them  than  did  this  very  boat  but  a  few  minutes  ago, 
when  it  dashed  among  the  feluccas,  further  down  in 
the  port,  as  if  it  were  again  running  for  the  oar 
Corpo  di  Bacco !  There  are  rich  wines  in  the 
palaces  of  the  nobles,  that  men  can  give  such  life  to 
wood!" 

"Whither  did  we  steer?"  eagerly  asked  Don 
Camillo. 

"  Blessed  San  Teodoro  !  I  do  not  wonder,  eccel- 
lenza,  that  you  ask  that  question,  for  though  it  is  but 
a  moment  since,  here  I  see  you  lying  as  motionless 
on  the  water  as  a  floating  weed !" 


THE   BRAVO.  265 

"  Friend,  here  is  silver — addio." 

The  gondolier  swept  slowly  onward,  singing  a 
strain  in  honor  of  his  bark,  while  the  boat  of  Don 
Camillo  darted  ahead.  Mistic,  felucca,  xebec,  brig- 
antine,  and  three-masted  ship,  were  apparently  float 
ing  past  them,  as  they  shot  through  the  maze  of 
shipping,  when  Gino  bent  forward  and  drew  the  at 
tention  of  his  master  to  a  large  gondola,  which  wa 
pulling  with  a  lazy  oar  toward  them,  from  the  di 
rection  of  the  Lido.  Both  boats  were  in  a  wade 
avenue  in  the  midst  of  the  vessels,  the  usual  track 
of  those  who  went  to  sea,  and  there  was  no  object 
whatever  between  them.  By  changing  the  course 
of  his  own  boat,  Don  Camillo  soon  found  himself 
within  an  oar's  length  of  the  other.  He  saw,  at  a 
glance,  it  was  the  treacherous  gondola  by  which  he 
had  been  duped. 

"  Draw,  men,  and  follow  ! "  shouted  the  desperate 
Neapolitan,  preparing  bo  leap  into  the  midst  of  his 
enemies. 

"You  draw  against  St.  Mark  !"  cried  a  warning 
voice  from  beneath  the  canopy.  "  The  chances  are 
unequal  Signore;  for  the  smallest  signal  would 
bring  twenty  galleys  to  our  succor." 

Don  Camiilo  might  have  disregarded  this  menace, 
had  he  not  perceived  that  it  caused  the  half-drawn 
rapiers  of  his  followers  to  return  to  their  scabbards. 

"  Robber  !"  he  answered,  "  restore  her  whom  you 
have  spirited  away." 

"  Signore,  you  young  nobles  are  often  pleased  to 
play  your  extravagancies  with  the  servants  of  the 
republic.  Here  are  none  but  the  gondoliers  and 
myself."  A  movement  of  the  boat-  permitted  Don 
Camillo  to  look  into  the  covered  part,  and  he  saw 
that  the  other  uttered  no  more  than  the  truth.  Con 
vinced  of  the  uselessness  of  further  parley,  know 
ing  the  value  of  every  moment,  and  believing  he 
Z 


266  TllE    BRAVO 

was  on  a  track  which  might  still  lead  to  success,  the 
young  Neapolitan  signed  to  his  people  to  go  on. 
The  boats  parted  in  silence,  that  of  Don  Camillo 
proceeding  in  the  direction  from  which  the  other 
had  just  come. 

In  a  short  time  the  gondola  of  Don  Camillo  was 
in  an  open  part  of  the  Guidecca,  and  entirely  be 
yond  the  tiers  of  the  shipping.  It  was  so  late  that 
the  moon  had  begun  to  fall,  and  its  light  was  cast 
obliquely  on  the  bay,  throwing  the  eastern  sides  of 
the  buildings  and  the  other  objects  into  shadow.  A 
dozen  different  vessels  were  seen,  aided  by  the  land- 
breeze,  steering  towards  the  entrance  of  the  port. 
The  rays  of  the  moon  fell  upon  the  broad  surface 
of  those  sides  of  their  canvas  which  were  nearest 
to  the  town,  and  they  resembled  so  many  spotless 
clouds,  sweeping  the  water  and  floating  seaward. 

"They  are  sending  my  wife  to  Dalmatia!"  cried 
Don  Camillo,  like  a  man  on  whom  the  truth  began 
to  dawn. 

••  Signore  mio!"  exclaimed  the  astonished  Gino. 

"  I  tell  thee,  sirrah,  that  this  accursed  senate  hath 
plotted  against  my  happiness,  and  having  robbed 
me  of  thy  mistress,  hath  employed  one  of  the  many 
feluccas  that  I  see,  to  transport  her  to  some  of  its 
strong-holds,  on  the  eastern  coast  of  the  Adriatic." 

"  Blessed  Maria !  Signor  Duca,  and  my  honour 
ed  master  ;  they  say  that  the  very  images  of  stone  in 
Venice  have  ears,  and  that  the  horses  of  bronze 
will  kick,  if  an  evil  word  is  spoken  against  those  up 
above." 

"  Is  it  not  enough,  varlet,  to  draw  curses  from  the 
meek  Job,  to  rob  him  of  a  wife  ?  Hast  thou  no  feel 
ing  tor  thy  mistress  '" 

"  I  did  not  dream,  eccellenza,  that  you  were  so 
happy  as  to  have  the  one,  or  that  I  was  so  honorea 
as  to  have  the  other." 

•*  Thou  remindest  me  of  my  folly,  good  Gino.    In 


THE    BRAVO.  267 

aiding  me  on  this  occasion,  thou  wilt  have  thy  own 
fortune  in  view,  as  thy  efforts,  like  those  of  thy  fel 
lows,  will  be  made  in  behalf  of  the  lady  to  whom  I 
have  just  plighted  a  husband's  vows." 

"  San  Teodoro  help  us  all,  and  hint  what  is  to  be 
done !  The  lady  is  most  happy,  Signor  Don  Camillo, 
and  if  I  only  knew  by  what  name  to  mention  her 
she  should  never  be  forgotten  in  any  prayer  that  so 
humble  a  sinner  might  dare  to  offer." 

"  Thou  hast  not  forgotten  the  beautiful  lady  1 
drew  from  the  Guidecca  ?" 

"  Corpo  di  Bacco  !  Your  eccellenza  floated  like 
a  swan,  and  swam  faster  than  a  gull.  Forgotten ! 
Signore,  no, — I  think  of  it  every  time  I  hear  a  plash 
in  the  canals,  and  every  time  I  think  of  it  I  curse 
the  Ancona-man  in  my  heart.  St.  Theodore  forgive 
me,  if  it  be  unlike  a  Christian  to  do  so.  But,  though 
we  all  tell  marvels  of  what  our  Lord  did  in  the 
Guidecca,  the  dip  of  its  waters  is  not  the  marriage- 
ceremony,  nor  can  we  speak  with  much  certainty 
of  beauty,  that  was  seen  to  so  great  disadvantage.1' 

"  Thou  art  right,  Gino. — But  that  lady,  the  illus 
trious  Donna  Violetta  Tiepolo,  the  daughter  and 
heiress  of  a  famed  senator,  is  now  thy  mistress.  It 
remains  for  us  to  establish  her  in  the  Castle  of  Sant' 
Agata,  where  I  shall  defy  Venice  and  its  agents." 

Gino  bowed  his  head  in  submission,  though  he 
cast  a  look  behind,  to  make  sure  that  none  of  those 
agents,  whom  his  master  set  so  openly  at  defiance, 
were  within  ear-shot. 

In  the  mean  time  the  gondola  proceeded,  for  the 
dialogue  in  no  manner  interrupted  the  exertions  of 
Gino,  still  holding  the  direction  of  the  Lido.  As  the 
land-breeze  freshened,  the  different  vessels  in  sight 
glided  a\vay,  and  by  the  time  Don  Camillo  reachea 
the  barrier  of  sand,  which  separates  the  Lagunes 
from  the  Adriatic,  most  of  them  had  glided  through 
the  passages,  and  were  now  shaping  their  courses, 


268  THE    BRAVO. 

according  to  their  different  destinations,  across  the 
open  gulf.  The  young  noble  had  permitted  his  peo 
ple  to  pursue  the  direction  originally  taken,  in  pure 
indecision.  He  was  certain  that  his  bride  was  in 
one  of  the  many  barks  in  sight,  but  he  possessed  no 
clue  to  lead  him  towards  the  right  one,  nor  any  suf 
ficient  means  of  pursuit,  were  he  even  master  of 
that  important  secret.  When  he  landed,  therefore, 
it  was  with  the  simple  hope  of  being  able  to  form 
some  general  conjecture  as  to  the  portion  of  the  re 
public's  dominions,  in  which  he  might  search  for  her 
he  had  lost,  by  observing  to  what  part  of  the  Adri 
atic  the  different  feluccas  held  their  way.  He  had 
determined  on  immediate  pursuit,  however,  and  be 
fore  he  quitted  the  gondola,  he  once  more  turned  to 
his  confidential  gondolier  to  give  the  necessary  in 
structions. 

"  Thou  knowest,  Gino,"  he  said,  "  that  there  is 
one  born  a  vassal  on  my  estates,  here  in  the  port, 
with  a  felucca  from  the  Sorrentine  shore?" 

"  I  know  the  man  better  than  I  know  my  own 
faults,  Signore,  or  even  my  own  virtues." 

"  Go  to  him,  at  once,  and  make  sure  of  his  pres 
ence.  I  have  imagined  a  plan  to  decoy  him  into 
the  service  of  his  lord  ;  but  I  would  now  know  the 
condition  of  his  vessel." 

Gino  said  a  few  words  in  commendation  of  the 
zeal  of  his  friend  Stefano,  and  in  praise  of  the 
Bella  Sorrentina,  as  the  gondola  receded  from  the 
shore ;  and  then  he  dashed  his  oar  into  the  water, 
like  a  man  in  earnest  to  execute  the  commission. 

There  is  a  lonely  spot  on  the  Lido  di  Palestrina 
where  Catholic  exclusion  has  decreed  that  the  re 
mains  of  all  who  die  in  Venice,  without  the  pale  ot 
the  church  of  Rome,  shall  moulder  into  their  kin 
dred  dust.  Though  it  is  not  distant  from  the  ordi 
nary  landing  and  the  few  buildings  which  line  the 
shore,  it  is  a  place  that,  in  itself,  is  no  bad  emblem 


THE    BRAVC  269 

of  a  hopeless  lot.  Solitary,  exposed  equally  to  the 
hot  airs  of  the  south  and  the  bleak  blasts  of  the  Alps, 
frequently  covered  with  the  spray  of  the  Adriatic, 
and  based  on  barren  sands,  the  utmost  that  human 
art,  aided  by  a  soil  which  has  been  fattened  by  hu 
man  remains,  can  do,  has  been  to  create  around  th 
modest  graves  a  meager  vegetation,  that  is  in  slight 
contrast  to  the  sterility  of  most  of  the  bank.  This 
place  of  interment  is  without  the  relief  of  trees,  at 
the  present  day  it  is  uninclosed,  and  in  the  opinions 
of  those  who  have  set  it  apart  for  heretic  and  Jew, 
it  is  unblessed.  And  yet,  though  condemned  alike 
to  this,  the  last  indignity  which  man  can  inflict  on 
his  fellow,  the  two  proscribed  classes  furnish  a  melan 
choly  proof  of  the  waywardness  of  human  passions 
and  prejudice,  by  refusing  to  share  in  common  the 
scanty  pittance  of  earth,  which  bigotry  has  allowed 
for  their  everlasting  repose !  While  the  protestant 
sleeps  by  the  side  of  protestant  in  exclusive  obloquy, 
the  children  of  Israel  moulder  apart  on  the  same 
barren  heath,  sedulous  to  preserve,  even  in  the 
grave,  the  outward  distinctions  of  faith.  We  shall 
not  endeavor  to  seek  that  deeply-seated  principle 
which  renders  man  so  callous  to  the  most  eloquent 
and  striking  appeals  to  liberality,  but  rest  satisfied 
with  being  grateful  that  we  have  been  born  in  a 
land,  in  which  the  interests  of  religion  are  as  little 
as  possible  sullied  by  the  vicious  contamination  of 
those  of  life ;  in  which  Christian  humility  is  not  ex 
hibited  beneath  the  purple,  nor  Jewish  adhesion  by 
intolerance ;  in  which  man  is  left  to  care  for  the 
welfare  of  his  own  soul,  and  in  which,  so  far  as  the 
human  eye  can  penetrate,  God  is  worshipped  for 
himself. 

Don  Camillo  Monforte  landed  near  the  retired 

graves  of  the  proscribed.     As  he  wished  to  ascend 

the  low  sand-hills,  which  have  been  thrown  up  by 

the  waves  and  the  winds  of  the  gulf,  on  the  outer 

Z2 


270  THE  BRAVO 

edge  of  the  Lido,  it  was  necessary  that  he  should 
pass  directly  across  the  contemned  spot,  or  make 
such  a  circuit  as  would  have  been  inconvenient. 
Crossing  himself,  with  a  superstition  that  was  inter 
woven  with  all  his  habits  and  opinions,  and  loosen 
ing  his  rapier,  in  order  that  he  might  not  miss  the 
succor  of  that  good  weapon,  at  need,  he  moved 
across  the  heath  tenanted  by  the  despised  dead, 
taking  care  to  avoid  the  mouldering  heaps  of  earth 
which  lay  above  the  bones  of  heretic  or  Jew.  He 
had  not  threaded  more  than  half  the  graves,  how 
ever,  when  a  human  form  arose  from  the  grass,  and 
seemed  to  walk  like  one  who  mused  on  the  moral 
that  the  piles  at  his  feet  would  be  apt  to  excite. 
Again  Don  Camillo  touched  the  handle  of  his  rapier ; 
then  moving  aside,  in  a  manner  to  give  himself  an 
equal  advantage  from  the  light  of  the  moon,  he 
drew  near  the  stranger.  His  footstep  was  heard 
for  the  other  paused,  regarded  the  approaching 
cavalier,  and  folding  his  arms,  as  it  might  be  in  siga 
of  neutrality,  awaited  his  nearer  approach. 

"  Thou  hast  chosen  a  melancholy  hour  for  thy 
walk,  Signore,"  said  the  young  Neapolitan ;  "  and  a 
still  more  melancholy  scene.  I  hope  I  do  not  in 
trude  on  an  Israelite,  or  a  Lutheran,  who  mourns 
for  his  friend  ?" 

"  Don  Camillo  Monforte,  I  am,  like  yourself,  a 
Christian." 

"Ha!  Thou  knowest  Me — 'tis  Battista,  the  gon 
dolier  that  I  once  entertained  in  my  household  1 " 

"  Signore,  'tis  not  Battista." 

As  he  spoke,  the  stranger  faced  the  moon,  in  a 
manner  that  threw  all  of  its  mild  light  upon  his  fea 
tures. 

"  Jacopo  !"  exclaimed  the  duke,  recoiling,  as  did 
all  in  Venice  habitually,  when  that  speaking  eye  was 
unexpectedly  met. 

'  Signore — Jacopo." 


THE    BRAVO.  271 

In  a  moment  the  rapier  of  Don  Camillo  glittered 
'n  the  rays  of  the  moon. 

"  Keep  thy  distance,  fellow,  and  explain  the 
motive  that  hath  brought  thee  thus  across  my  soli 
tude!" 

The  Bravo  smiled,  but  his  arms  maintained  their 
fold. 

"  I  might,  with  equal  justice,  call  upon  the  Duke 
of  Sant'  Agata  to  furnish  reasons,  why  he  wanders 
at  this  hour  among  the  Hebrew  graves." 

"  Nay,  spare  thy  pleasantry ;  I  trifle  not  with  men 
of  thy  reputation ;  if  any  in  Venice  have  thought 
fit  to  employ  thee  against  my  person,  thou  wilt  have 
need  of  all  thy  courage  and  skill,  ere  thou  earnest 
thy  fee." 

"  Put  up  thy  rapier,  Don  Camillo ;  here  is  none  to 
do  you  harm.  Think  you,  if  employed  in  the  man 
ner  you  name,  I  would  be  in  this  spot  to  seek  you  ? 
Ask  yourself  whether  your  visit  here  was  known, 
or  whether  it  was  more  than  the  idle  caprice  of  a 
young  noble,  who  finds  his  bed  less  easy  than  his 
gondola.  We  have  met,  Duke  of  Sant'  Agata,  when 
you  distrusted  my  honor  less." 

"  Thou  speakest  true,  Jacopo  ;*'  returned  the  no- 
ble,  suffering  the  point  of  his  rapier  to  fall  from  be 
fore  the  breast  of  the  Bravo,  though  he  still  hesitated 
to  withdraw  the  point.  "  Thou  sayest  the  truth. 
My  visit  to  this  spot  is  indeed  accidental,  and  thou 
could'st  not  have  possibly  foreseen  it.  Why  art  thou 
here?" 

"  Why  are  these  here  ?"  demanded  Jacopo,  point 
ing  to  the  graves  at  his  feet.  "  We  are  born,  and 
we  die — that  much  is  known  to  us  all ;  but  the 
when  and  the  where  are  mysteries,  until  time  reveals 
them." 

"  Thou  art  not  a  man  to  act  without  good  mo 
tive  Though  these  Israelites  could  not  foresee  their 


272  THE   BRAVO. 

visit  to  the  Lido,  thine  hath  not  been  without  inten 
tion." 

"  I  am  here,  Don  Camillo  Monforte,  because  my 
spirit  hath  need  of  room.  I  want  the  air  of  the  sea 
— the  canals  choke  me — I  can  only  breathe  in  free 
dom  on  this  bank  of  sand !" 

"  Thou  hast  another  reason,  Jacopo  ?" 

"•Ay,  Signore — I  lothe  yon  city  of  crimes  !" 

As  the  Bravo  spoke,  he  shook  his  hand  in  the  di 
rection  of  the  domes  of  St.  Mark,  and  the  deep  tones 
of  his  voice  appeared  to  heave  up  from  the  depths  of 
his  chest. 

"  This  is  extraordinary  language  for  a r-" 

"  Bravo ;  speak  the  word  boldly,  Signore — it  is  no 
stranger  to  my  ears.  But  even  the  stiletto  of  a 
Bravo  is  honorable,  compared  to  that  sword  of  pre 
tended  justice  which  St.  Mark  wrields !  The  common 
est  hireling  of  Italy — he  who  will  plant  his  dagger 
in  the  heart  of  his  friend  for  two  sequins,  is  a  man 
of  open  dealing,  compared  to  the  merciless  treach 
ery  of  some  in  yonder  town  !" 

"  I  understand  thee,  Jacopo ;  thou  art,  at  length, 
proscribed.  The  public  voice,  faint  as  it  is  in  the 
republic,  has  finally  reached  the  ears  of  thy  employ 
ers,  and  they  withdraw  their  protection." 

Jacopo  regarded  the  noble,  for  an  instant,  with  an 
expression  so  ambiguous,  as  to  cause  the  latter  in 
sensibly  to  raise  the  point  of  his  rapier,  but  when  he 
answered,  it  was  with  his  ordinary  quiet. 

"  Signer  Duca,"  he  said,  "  I  have  been  thought 
worthy  to  be  retained  by  Don  Camillo  Monforte  !" 

"  I  deny  it  not — and  now  that  thou  recallest  the 
occasion,  new  light  breaks  in  upon  me.  Villain,  to 
thy  faithlessness  I  owe  the  loss  of  my  bride !" 

'Though  the  rapier  was  at  the  very  throat  of 
Jacopo,  he  did  not  flinch.  Gazing  at  his  excited 
companion,  he  laughed  in  a  smothered  manner,  but 
bitterly. 


THE   BRAVO.  273 

*'  It  would  seem  that  the  Lord  of  Sant'  Agata 
wishes  to  rob  me  of  my  trade,"  he  said.  "  Arise, 
ye  Israelites,  and  bear  witness,  lest  men  doubt  ihe 
fact !  A  common  bravo  of  the  canals  is  waylaid, 
among  your  despised  graves,  by  the  proudest  Sig- 
nor  of  Calabria!  You  have  chosen  your  spot,  in 
mercy,  Don  Camillo,  for  sooner  or  later  this  crumb 
ling  and  sea-worn  earth  is  to  receive  me.  Were  I 
to  die  at  the  altar  itself,  with  the  most  penitent  prayer 
of  holy  church  on  my  lips,  the  bigots  would  send 
my  body  to  rest  among  those  hungry  Hebrews  and 
accursed  heretics.  Yes,  I  am  a  man  proscribed,  and 
unfit  to  sleep  with  the  faithful!" 

His  companion  spoke  with  so  strange  a  mixture 
of  irony  and  melancholy,  that  the  purpose  of  Don 
Camillo  wavered.  But  remembering  his  loss,  he 
shook  the  rapier's  point,  and  continued : — 

"  Thy  taunts  and  effrontery  will  not  avail  thee, 
knave ;"  he  cried.  "  Thou  knowest  that  I  would 
have  engaged  thee  as  the  leader  of  a  chosen  band, 
to  favor  the  flight  of  one  dear  from  Venice." 

"  Nothing  more  true,  Signore." 

"  And  thou  didst  refuse  the  service  ?" 

"  Noble  duke,  I  did." 

"  Not  content  with  this,  having  learned  the  par 
ticulars  of  my  project,  thou  sold  the  secret  to  the 
senate  ? " 

"  Don  Camillo  Monforte,  I  did  not.  My  engage 
ments  with  the  council  would  not  permit  me  to 
serve  you;  else,  by  the  brightest  star  of  yonder 
vault !  it  would  have  gladdened  my  heart  to  have 
witnessed  the  happiness  of  two  young  and  faithful 
lovers.  No — no — no;  they  know  me  not,  who 
think  I  cannot  find  pleasure  in  the  joy  of  another 
I  told  you  that  I  was  the  senate's, — and  there  the 
matter  ended." 

"  And  I  had  the  weakness  to  believe  thee,  Jacopo, 
for  thou  hast  a  character  so  strangely  compounded 


274  THE    BRAVO. 

of  good  and  evil,  and  bearest  so  fair  a  name  for  ob 
servance  of  thy  faith,  that  the  seeming  frankness 
of  the  answer  lulled  me  to  security.  Fellow,  I 
have  been  betrayed,  and  that  at  the  moment  when 
I  thought  success  most  sure." 

Jacopo  manifested  interest,  but,  as  he  moved 
slowly  on,  accompanied  by  the  vigilant  and  zealous 
noble,  he  smiled  coldly,  like  one  who  had  pity  for 
the  other's  credulity. 

"  In  bitterness  of  soul,  I  have  cursed  the  whole 
race  for  its  treachery ;"  continued  the  Neapolitan. 

"  This  is  rather  for  the  priore  of  St.  Mark,  than 
for  the  ear  of  one  who  carries  a  public  stiletto." 

"  My  gondola  has  been  imitated — the  liveries  of 
my  people  copied — my  bride  stolen. — Thou  an- 
swerest  not,  Jacopo?" 

"  What  answer  would  you  have  ?  You  have  been 
cozened,  Signore,  in  a  state,  whose  very  prince 
dare  not  trust  his  secrets  to  his  wife.  You  would 
have  robbed  Venice  of  an  heiress,  and  Venice 
has  robbed  you  of  a  bride.  You  have  played 
high,  Don  Camillo,  and  have  lost  a  heavy  stake. 
You  have  thought  of  your  own  wishes  and  rights, 
while  you  have  pretended  to  serve  Venice  with  the 
Spaniard." 

Don  Camillo  started  in  surprise. 

"  Why  this  wonder,  Signore  ? — You  forget  that  I 
have  lived  much  among  those  who  weigh  the 
chances  of  every  political  interest,  and  that  your 
name  is  often  in  their  mouths.  This  marriage  is 
doubly  disagreeable  to  Venice,  who  has  nearly  as 
much  need  of  the  bridegroom  as  of  the  bride.  The 
council  hath  long  ago  forbidden  the  banns." 

"Ay — but  the  means? — explain  the  means  by 
which  I  have  been  duped,  lest  the  treachery  be 
ascribed  to  thee." 

"  Signore,  the  very  marbles  of  the  city  give  up 
their  secrets  to  the  state.  I  have  seen  much,  and 


THE    BRAVO.  275 

understood  much,  when  my  superiors  have  believed 
me  merely  a  tool ;  but  I  have  seen  much  that  even 
those  who  employed  me  could  not  comprehend.  I 
could  have  foretold  this  consummation  of  your  nup 
tials,  had  I  known  of  their  celebration." 

"  This  thou  could'st  not  have  done,  without  being 
an  agent  of  their  treachery." 

"  The  schemes  of  the  selfish  may  be  foretold ;  i 
is  only  the  generous  and  the  honest  that  baffle  cal 
culation.  He  who  can  gain  a  knowledge  of  the 
present  interest  of  Venice  is  master  of  her  dearest 
secrets  of  state ;  for  what  she  wishes  she  will  do, 
unless  the  service  cost  too  dear.  As  for  the  means 
— how  can  they  be  wanting  in  a  household  like 
yours,  Signore'?" 

"I  trusted  none  but  those  deepest  in  my  con 
fidence." 

"Don  Camillo,  there  is  not  a  servitor  in  your 
palace,  Gino  alone  excepted,  who  is  not  a  hireling 
of  the  senate,  or  of  its  agents.  The  very  gondoliers, 
who  row  you  to  your  daily  pleasures,  have  had 
their  hands  crossed  with  the  republic's  sequins. 
Nay,  they  are  not  only  paid  to  watch  you,  but  to 
watch  each  other." 

"  Can  this  be  true ! " 

"Have  you  ever  doubted  it,  Signore?"  asked 
Jacopo,  looking  up  like  one  who  admired  at 
another's  simplicity. 

"  I  knew  them  to  be  false — pretenders  to  a  faith 
that  in  secret  they  mock ;  but  I  had  not  believed 
they  dared  to  tamper  with  the  very  menials  of  my 
person.  Tb's  undermining  of  the  security  of  fami 
lies  is  to  destroy  society  at  its  core ! " 

"  You  talk  like  one  who  hath  not  been  long  a 
oridegroom,  Signore ;"  said  the  Bravo  with  a  hol 
low  laugh.  "  A  year  hence,  you  may  know  what 
it  is  to  have  your  own  wife  turning  your  secret 
thoughts  into  gold." 


276  THE  BRAVO. 

"  And  thou  servest  them,  Jacopo  ?" 

"  Who  does  not,  in  some  manner  suited  to  his 
habits?  We  are  not  masters  of  our  fortune,  Don 
Camillo,  or  the  Duke  of  Sant'  Agata  would  not  be 
turning  his  influence  with  a  relative,  to  the  advan 
tage  of  the  republic.  What  I  have  done  hath  no' 
been  done  without  bitter  penitence,  and  an  agony 
of  soul,  that  your  own  light  servitude  may  have 
spared  you,  Signore." 

"Poor  Jacopo!" 

"  If  I  have  lived  through  it  all,  'tis  because  one 
mightier  than  the  state  hath  not  deserted  me.  But, 
Don  Camillo  Monforte,  there  are  crimes  which  pass 
beyond  the  powers  of  man  to  endure." 

The  Bravo  shuddered,  and  he  moved  among  the 
despised  graves,  in  silence. 

"  They  have  then  proved  too  ruthless  even  for 
thee?"  said  Don  Camillo,  who  watched  the  con 
tracting  eye  and  heaving  form  of  his  companion,  in 
wonder". 

"  Signore,  they  have.  I  have  witnessed,  this 
night,  a  proof  of  their  heartlessness  and  bad  faith, 
that  hath  caused  me  to  look  forward  to  my  own 
fate.  The  delusion  is  over  ;  from  this  hour  I  serve 
them  no  longer." 

The  Bravo  spoke  with  deep  feeling,  and  his  com 
panion  fancied,  strange  as  it  was  coming  from  such 
a  man,  with  an  air  of  wounded  integrity.  Don 
Camillo  knew  that  there  was  no  condition  of  life, 
however  degraded  or  lost  to  the  world,  which  had 
not  its  own  particular  opinions  of  the  faith  due  to  its 
fellows ;  and  he  had  seen  enough  of  the  sinuous 
course  of  the  oligarchy  ef  Venice,  to  understand 
that  it  was  quite  possible  its  shameless  and  irrespon 
sible  duplicity  might  offend  the  principles  of  e^en 
an  assassin.  Less  odium  was  attached  to  men  of 
that  class,  in  Italy  and  at  that  day,  than  will  be 
easil}  imagined  in  a  country  like  this ;  for  the  radi- 


THE    BRAVO.  277 

cal  defects  and  the  vicious  administration  of  the 
laws,  caused  an  irritable  and  sensitive  people  too 
often  to  lake  into  their  own  hands,  the  right  of  re 
dressing  their  own  wrongs.  Custom  had  lessened 
the  odium  of  the  crime,  and  though  society  de 
nounced  the  assassin  himself,  it  is  scarcely  too 
much  to  say,  that  his  employer  was  regarded  with 
little  more  disgust  than  the  religious  of  our  time  re 
gard  the  survivor  of  a  private  combat.  Still  it  was 
not  usual  for  nobles  like  Don  Camillo  to  hold  inter 
course,  beyond  that  which  the  required  service  ex 
acted,  with  men  of  Jacopo's  cast ;  but  the  language 
and  manner  of  the  Bravo  so  strongly  attracted  the 
curiosity.,  and  even  the  sympathy  of  his  companion 
that  the  latter  unconsciously  sheathed  his  rapier  and 
drew  nearer. 

"  Thy  penitence  and  regrets,  Jacopo,  may  lead 
thee  yet  nearer  to  virtue,"  he  said,  "  than  mere  aban 
donment  of  the  senate's  service.  Seek  out  some 
godly  priest,  and  ease  thy  soul,  by  confession  and 
prayer." 

The  Bravo  trembled  in  every  limb,  and  his  eye 
turned  wistfully  to  the  countenance  of  the  other. 

"  Speak,  Jacopo ;  even  I  will  hear  thee,  if  thou 
would'st  remove  the  mountain  from  thy  breast." 

"  Thanks,  noble  Signore !  a  thousand  thanks  for 
this  glimpse  of  sympathy,  to  which  I  have  long  been 
a  stranger !  None  know  how  dear  a  word  of  kind 
ness  is,  as  he  who  has  been  condemned  by  all,  as  I 
have  been.  I  have  prayed — I  have  craved — I  have 
wept  for  some  ear  to  listen  to  my  tale,  and  I  thought 
I  had  found  one  who  would  have  heard  me  without 
scorn,  when  the  cold  policy  of  the  senate  struck  him. 
I  came  here  to  commune  with  the  hated  dead,  when 
chance  brought  us  together.  Could  I — "  the  Bravo 
paused  and  looked  doubtfully,  again,  at  his  com 
panion. 

•  Say  on,  Jacopo." 

2A 


278  THE  BRAVO. 

"  I  have  not  dared  to  trust  my  secrets  even  to  the 
confessional,  Signore,  and  can  I  be  so  bold  as  to 
offer  them  to  you  1" 

"  Truly,  it  is  a  strange  behest !" 

"  Signore,  it  is.  You  are  noble,  I  am  of  humble 
blood.  Your  ancestors  were  senators  and  ctges  of 
Venice,  while  mine  have  been,  since  the  fishermen 
first  built  their  huts  in  the  Lagunes,  laborers  on  the 
canals,  and  rowers  of  gondolas.  You  are  powerful 
and  rich,  and  courted ;  while  I  am  denounced,  and, 
in  secret,  I  fear,  condemned.  In  short,  you  are  Don 
Camillo  Monforte,  and  I  am  Jacopo  Frontoni!" 

Don  Camillo  was  touched,  for  the  Bravo  spoke 
without  bitterness,  and  in  deep  sorrow. 

"  I  would  thou  wert  at  the  confessional,  poor  Ja 
copo!"  he  said;  "I  am  little  able  to  give  ease  to 
such  a  burthen." 

"  Signore,  I  have  lived  too  long,  shut  out  from  the 
good  wishes  of  my  fellows,  and  I  can  bear  with  it 
no  longer.  The  accursed  senate  may  cut  me  off 
without  warning,  and  then  who  will  stop  to  look  at 
my  grave.  Signore,  I  must  speak,  or  die ! " 

"  Thy  case  is  piteous,  Jacopo ! — Thou  hast  need 
of  ghostly  counsel." 

"  Here  is  no  priest,  Signore,  and  I  carry  a  weight 
past  bearing.  The  only  man  who  has  shown  inter 
est  in  me,  for  three  long  and  dreadful  years,  is 
gone!" 

"  But  he  will  return,  poor  Jacopo." 

"  Signore,  he  will  never  return.  He  is  with  the 
fishes  of  the  Lagunes." 

"  By  thy  hand,  monster !" 

"  By  the  justice  of  the  illustrious  republic,"  said 
the  Bravo,  with  a  smothered  but  bitter  smile. 

"  Ha !  they  are  then  awake  to  the  acts  of  thy 
class  ?  Thy  repentance  is  the  fruit  of  fear ! " 

Jacopo  seemed  choked.  He  had  evidently  count 
ed  on  the  awakened  sympathy  of  his  companion, 


THE    BRAVO  279 

otwithstanding  the  difference  in  their  situations,  and 
,o  be  thus  thrown  off  again,  unmanned  him.  He 
shuddered,  and  every  muscle  and  nerve  appeared 
about  to  yield  its  power.  Touched  by  so  unequivo 
cal  signs  of  suffering,  Don  Camillo  kept  close  at  his 
iide,  reluctant  to  enter  more  deeply  into  the  feelings 
of  one  of  his  known  character,  and  yet  unable  to 
iesert  a  fellow-creature  in  so  grievous  agony. 

"  Signer  Duca,"  said  the  Bravo,  with  a  pathos  in 
uis  voice  that  went  to  the  heart  of  his  auditor,  Cleave 
me.  If  they  ask  for  a  proscribed  man,  let  them  come 
here ;  in  the  morning  they  will  find  my  body  near 
the  graves  of  the  heretics." 

"  Speak,  I  will  hear  thee." 

Jacopo  looked  up  with  doubt  expressed  on  his 
features. 

"Unburthen  thyself;  I  will  listen,  though  thou 
recounted  the  assassination  of  my  dearest  friend." 

The  oppressed  Bravo  gazed  at  him,  as  if  he  still 
distrusted  his  sincerity.  His  face  worked,  and  his 
look  became  still  more  wistful ;  but  as  Don  Camillo 
faced  the  moon,  and  betrayed  the  extent  of  his  sym 
pathy,  the  other  burst  into  tears. 

"  Jacopo,  I  will  hear  thee — I  will  hear  thee,  poor 
Jacopo !"  cried  Don  Camillo,  shocked  at  this  exhibi 
tion  of  distress  in  one  so  stern  by  nature.  A  wave 
from  the  hand  of  the  Bravo  silenced  him,  and  Jacopo, 
struggling  with  himself  for  a  moment,  spoke. 

"  You  have  saved  a  soul  from  perdition,  Signore," 
he  said,  smothering  his  emotion.  "  If  the  happy 
knew  how  much  power  belongs  to  a  single  word  of 
kindness — a  glance  of  feeling,  when  given  to  the 
despised,  they  would  not  look  so  coldly  on  the  mis 
erable.  This  night  must  have  been  my  last,  had 
you  cast  me  off  without  pity — but  you  will  hear 
my  tale,  Signore — you  will  not  scorn  the  confession 
of  a  Bravo?" 


280  THE    BRAVO. 

"  I  have  promised.  Be  brief,  for  at  this  moment 
I  have  great  care  of  my  own." 

"  Signore,  I  know  not  the  whole  of  your  wrongs, 
but  they  will  not  be  less  likely  to  be  redressed  for 
this  grace." 

Jacopo  made  an  effort  to  command  himself,  when 
he  commenced  his  tale. 

The  course  of  the  narrative  does  not  require  that 
we  should  accompany  this  extraordinary  man, 
through  the  relation  of  the  secrets  he  imparted  to 
Don  Camillo.  It  is  enough,  for  our  present  purposes 
to  say,  that,  as  he  proceeded,  the  young  Calabrian 
noble  drew  nearer  to  his  side,  and  listened  with 
growing  interest.  The  Duke  of  Sant'  Agata  scarce 
ly  breathed,  while  his  companion,  with  that  energy 
of  language  and  feeling  which*  marks  Italian  char 
acter,  recounted  his  secret  sorrows,  and  the  scenes 
in  which  he  had  been  an  actor.  Long  before  he 
was  done,  Don  Camillo  had  forgotten  his  own  pri 
vate  causes  of  concern,  and,  by  the  time  the  tale 
was  finished,  every  shade  of  disgust  had  given  place 
to  an  ungovernable  expression  of  pity.  In  short,  so 
eloquent  was  the  speaker,  and  so  interesting  the 
facts  with  wrhich  he  dealt,  that  he  seemed  to  play 
with  the  sympathies  of  the  listener,  as  the  improvi- 
satore  of  that  region  is  known  to  lead  captive  the 
passions  of  the  admiring  crowd. 

During  the  time  Jacopo  was  speaking,  he  and  his 
wondering  auditor  had  passed  the  limits  of  the  de 
spised  cemetery ;  and  as  the  voice  of  the  former 
ceased,  they  stood  on  the  outer  beach  of  the  Lido 
When  the  low  tones  of  the  Bravo  were  no  longer 
audible,  they  were  succeeded  by  the  sullen  wash  of 
Jie  Adriatic. 

"  This  surpasseth  belief!"  Don  Camillo  exclaim 
ed,  after  a  long  pause,  which  had  only  been  disturb 
ed  by  the  rush  and  retreat  of  the  waters. 

"  Signore,  as  holy  Maria  is  kind '  it  is  true." 


THE  BRAVO.  281 

"  I  doubt  you  not,  Jacopo — poor  Jacopo !  I  can- 
aot  distrust  a  tale  thus  told !  Thou  hast,  indeed,  been 
a  victim  of  their  hellish  duplicity,  and  well  mayest 
thou  say,  the  load  was  past  bearing.  What  is  thy 
intention  ?" 

"  I  serve  them  no  longer,  Don  Camillo — I  wait 
only  for  the  last  solemn  scene,  which  is  now  cer 
tain,  and  then  I  quit  this  city  of  deceit,  to  seek  my 
fortune  in  another  region.  They  have  blasted  my 
youth,  and  loaded  my  name  with  infamy. — God  may 
yet  lighten  the  load!" 

"  Reproach  not  thyself  beyond  reason,  Jacopo, 
for  the  happiest  and  most  fortunate  of  us  all  are  not 
above  the  power  of  temptation.  Thou  knowest  that 
even  my  name  and  rank  have  not,  altogether,  pro 
tected  me  from  their  arts." 

"  I  know  them  capable,  Signore,  of  deluding  an 
gels  !  Their  arts  are  only  surpassed  by  their  means, 
and  their  pretence  of  virtue  by  their  indifference  to 
its  practice." 

"  Thou  sayest  true,  Jacopo :  the  truth  is  never  in 
greater  danger,  than  when  whole  communities  lend 
themselves  to  the  vicious  deception  of  seemliness, 
and  without  truth  there  is  no  virtue.  This  it  is  to 
substitute  profession  for  practice — to  use  the  altar 
for  a  worldly  purpose — and  to  bestow  power  with 
out  any  other  responsibility  than  that  which  is  ex 
acted  by  the  selfishness  of  caste!  Jacopo — poor 
Jacopo !  thou  shalt  be  my  servitor — I  am  lord  of 
my  own  seignories,  and  once  rid  of  this  specious 
republic,  I  charge  myself  with  the  care  of  thy  safety 
and  fortunes.  Be  at  peace  as  respects  thy  con 
science  :  I  have  interest  near  the  holy  see,  and  thou 
shalt  not  want  absolution  '" 

The  gratitude  of  the  Bravo  was  more  vivid  in 
feeling  than  in  expression.     He  kissed  the  hand  of 
Don  Camillo,  but  it  was  with  a  reservation  of  self- 
respect,  that  belonged  to  the  character  of  the  man. 
2A2 


282  THE    BRAVO. 

•*  A  system  like  this  of  Venice,"  continued  the 
musing  noble,  "  leaves  none  of  us  masters  of  our 
own  acts.  The  wiles  of  such  a  combination  are 
stronger  than  the  will.  It  clokes  its  offences  against 
right  in  a  thousand  specious  forms,  and  it  enlists  the 
support  of  every  man,  under  the  pretence  of  a  sac 
rifice  for  the  common  good.  We  often  fancy  our 
selves  simple  dealers  in  some  justifiable  state  in 
trigue,  when  in  truth  we  are  deep  in  sin.  Falsehood 
is  the  parent  of  all  crimes,  and  in  no  case  has  it  a 
progeny  so  numerous,  as  that  in  which  its  own 
birth  is  derived  from  the  state.  I  fear  I  may  have 
made  sacrifices,  to  this  treacherous  influence,  I 
could  wish  forgotten." 

Though  Don  Camillo  soliloquized,  rather  than  ad 
dressed  his  companion,  it  was  evident,  by  the  train 
of  his  thoughts,  that  the  narrative  of  Jacopo  had 
awakened  disagreeable  reflections,  on  the  manner 
in  which  he  had  pushed  his  own  claims,  with  the 
senate.  Perhaps  he  felt  the  necessity  of  some  apolo 
gy  to  one  who,  though  so  much  his  inferior  in  rank, 
was  so  competent  to  appreciate  his  conduct,  and 
who  had  just  denounced  in  the  strongest  language, 
his  own  fatal  subserviency  to  the  arts  of  that  irre 
sponsible  and  meretricious  body. 

Jacopo  uttered  a  few  words  of  a  general  nature, 
but  such  as  had  a  tendency  to  quiet  the  uneasiness 
of  his  companion;  after  which,  with  a  readiness 
that  proved  him  qualified  for  the  many  delicate  mis 
sions  with  which  he  had  been  charged,  he  ingeni 
ously  turned  the  discourse  to  the  recent  abduction 
of  Donna  Violetta,  with  the  offer  of  rendering  his 
new  employer  all  the  services  in  his  power  to  re 
gain  his  bride. 

"That  thou  mayest  know  all  thou  hast  under • 
taken,"  rejoined  Don  Camillo,  "  listen,  Jacopo,  and 
I  will  conceal  nothing  from  thy  shrewdness." 

The  Duke  of  Sant'  Agata  now  briefly,  but  expli 


THE    BRAVO.  283 

cilly,  laid  bare  to  his  companion  all  his  own  views 
and  measures,  with  respect  to  her  he  loved,  and  all 
those  events,  with  which  the  reader  has  already  be 
come  acquainted. 

The  Bravo  gave  great  attention  to  the  minutest 
parts  of  the  detail,  and  more  than  once,  as  the  other 
proceeded,  he  smiled  to  himself,  like  a  man  who 
was  able  to  trace  the  secret  means,  by  which  this 
or  that  intrigue  had  been  effected.  The  whole  was 
just  related,  when  the  sound  of  a  footstep  announced 
the  return  of  Gino. 


CHAPTEE  XIX. 

"Pale  she  look'd, 

Yet  cheerful ;  though  methought,  once,  if  not  twice, 
She  wiped  away  a  tear  that  would  be  coming." 

ROGERS. 

THJC  hours  passed  as  if  naught  had  occurred, 
within  the  barriers  of  the  city,  to  disturb  their  pro 
gress.  On  the  following  morning  men  proceeded  to 
their  several  pursuits,  of  business  or  of  pleasure,  as 
had  been  done  for  ages,  and  none  stopped  to  ques 
tion  his  neighbor  of  the  scene  which  might  have 
taken  place  during  the  night.  Some  were  gay,  and 
others  sorrowing ;  some  idle,  and  others  occupied  ; 
here  one  toiled,  there  another  sported ;  and  Venice 
presented,  as  of  wont,  its  noiseless,  suspicious,  busy 
mysterious,  and  yet  stirring  throngs,  as  it  had  before 
done  at.  a  thousand  similar  risings  of  the  sun. 

The  menials  lingered  around  the  water-gate  of 
Donna  Violetta's  palace,  with  distrustful  but  cautious 
faces,  scarce  whispering  among  themselves  their 
secret  suspicions  of  the  fate  of  their  mistress.  The 


284  THE    BRAVO. 

residence  of  the  Signer  Gradenigo  presented  iti 
usual  gloomy  magnificence,  while  the  abode  of  Don 
Camillo  Monforte  betrayed  no  sign  of  the  heavy 
disappointment  which  its  master  had  sustained. 
The  Bella  Sorrentina  still  lay  in  the  port,  with  a 
yard  on  deck,  while  the  crew  repaired  its  sail  in  the 
lazy  manner  of  mariners,  who  work  without  excite 
merit. 

The  Lagunes  were  dotted  with  the  boats  of  fish 
ermen,  and  travellers  arrived  and  departed  from  the 
city;  by  the  well-known  channels  of  Fusina  and  Mes- 
tre.  Here,  some  adventurer  from  the  north  quitted 
the  canals,  on  his  return  towards  the  Alps,  carrying 
with  him  a  pleasing  picture  of  the  ceremonies  he 
had  witnessed,  mingled  with  some  crude  conjectures 
of  that  power  which  predominated  in  the  suspected 
state ;  and  there,  a  countryman  of  the  Main  sought 
his  little  farm,  satisfied  with  the  pageants  and  re 
gatta  of  the  previous  day.  In  short,  all  seemed  as 
usual,  and  the  events  we  have  related  remained  a  se 
cret  with  the  actors,  and  that  mysterious  council 
which  had  so  large  a  share  in  their  existence. 

As  the  day  advanced,  many  a  sail  was  spread  for 
the  pillars  of  Hercules,  or  the  genial  Levant,  and 
feluccas,  mystics  and  golettas,  went  and  came  as  the 
land  or  sea-breeze  prevailed.  Still  the  mariner  of 
Calabria  lounged  beneath  the  awning  which  shelter 
ed  his  deck,  or  took  his  siesta  on  a  pile  of  old  sails, 
which  were  ragged  with  the  force  of  many  a  hot 
sirocco.  As  the  sun  fell,  the  gondolas  of  the  great 
and  idle  began  to  glide  over  the  water ;  and  when 
the  two  squares  were  cooled  by  the  air  of  the  Adri 
atic,  the  Broglio  began  to  fill  with  those  privileged 
to  pace  its  vaulted  passage.  Among  these  came  the 
Duke  of  Sant'  Agata,  who,  though  an  alien  to  the 
laws  of  the  republic,  being  of  so  illustrious  desient, 
and  of  claims  so  equitable,  was  received  stoiona  the 
senators,  in  their  moments  oi  vi^  -v*  a 


THE  BRAVO.  285 

sHurer  in  this  vain  distinction.  He  entered  the 
Broglio  at  the  wonted  hour,  and  with  his  usual  com 
posure,  for  he  trusted  to  his  secret  influence  at  Rome, 
and  something  to  the  success  of  his  i  ivals,  for  impu 
nity.  Reflection  had  shown  Don  Camillo  that,  as 
his  plans  were  known  to  the  council,  they  would 
long  since  have  arrested  him,  had  such  been  their 
intention ;  and  it  had  also  led  him  to  believe,  that 
the  most  efficient  manner  of  avoiding  the  personal 
consequences  of  his  adventure,  was  to  show  confi 
dence  in  his  own  power  to  withstand  them.  When 
he  appeared,  therefore,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  a  high 
officer  of  the  papal  embassy,  and  with  an  eye  that 
spoke  assurance  in  himself,  he  was  greeted,  as  usual, 
by  all  who  knew  him,  as  was  due  to  his  rank  and 
expectations.  Still  Don  Camillo  walked  among  the 
patricians  of  the  republic  with  novel  sensations 
More  than  once  he  thought  he  detected,  in  the  wan 
dering  glances  of  those  with  whom  he  conversed, 
signs  of  their  knowledge  of  his  frustrated  attempt, 
and  more  than  once,  when  he  least  suspected  such 
scrutiny,  his  countenance  was  watched,  as  if  the 
observer  sought  some  evidence  of  his  future  inten 
tions.  Beyond  this,  none  might  have  discovered  that 
an  heiress  of  so  much  importance  had  been  so  near 
being  lost  to  the  state,  or,  on  the  other  hand,  that  a 
bridegroom  had  been  robbed  of  his  bride.  Habitual 
art,  on  the  part  of  the  state,  and  resolute  but  wary 
intention,  on  the  part  of  the  young  noble,  concealed 
all  else  from  obsen/ation. 

In  this  manner  the  day  passed,  not  a  tongue  in 
Venice,  beyond  those  which  whispered  in  secret 
making  any  allusion  to  the  incidents  of  our  tale. 

Just  as  the  sun  was  setting,  a  gondola  swept  slow 
ly  up  to  the  water-gate  of  the  ducal  palace.  The  gon 
dolier  landed,  fastened  his  boat  in  the  usual  manner 
to  the  stepping-stones,  and  entered  the  court.  He 
wore  a  mask,  for  the  hour  of  disguise  had  come,  and 


286  THE   BRAVO. 

his  attire  was  so  like  the  ordinary  fashion  of  men 
of  his  class,  as  to  defeat  recognition  by  its  simplicity. 
Glancing  an  eye  about  him,  he  entered  the  building 
by  a  private  door. 

The  edifice  in  which  the  Doges  of  Venice  dwelt 
still  stands  a  gloomy  monument  of  the  policy  of  the 
republic,  furnishing  evidence,  in  itself,  of  the  spe 
cious  character  of  the  prince  whom  it  held.  It  is 
built  around  a  vast  but  gloomy  court,  as  is  usual  with 
nearly  all  of  the  principal  edifices  of  Europe.  One 
of  its  fronts  forms  a  side  of  the  piazzetta,  so  often 
mentioned,  and  another  lines  the  quay  next  the  port. 
The  architecture  of  these  two  exterior  faces  of  the 
palace  renders  the  structure  remarkable.  A  low 
portico,  which  forms  the  Broglio,  sustains  a  row  of 
massive  oriental  windows,  and  above  these  again 
lies  a  pile  of  masonry,  slightly  relieved  by  apertures, 
which  reverses  the  ordinary  uses  of  the  arts.  A 
third  front  is  nearly  concealed  by  the  cathedral  of 
St.  Mark,  and  the  fourth  is  washed  by  its  canal. 
The  public  prison  of  the  city  forms  the  other  side 
of  this  canal,  eloquently  proclaiming  the  nature  of 
the  government  by  the  close  approximation  of  the 
powers  of  legislation  and  of  punishment.  The  fa 
mous  Bridge  of  Sighs  is  the  material,  and  we  might 
add  the  metaphorical,  link  between  the  two.  The 
latter  edifice  stands  on  the  quay,  also,  and  though 
less  lofty  and  spacious,  in  point  of  architectural  beau 
ty  it  is  the  superior  structure,  though  the  quaintness 
and  unusual  style  of  the  palace  is  most  apt  to  attract 
attention. 

The  masked  gondolier  soon  reappeared  beneath 
the  arch  of  the  water-gate,  and  with  a  hurried  step 
he  sought  his  boat.  It  required  but  a  minute  to 
cross  the  canal,  to  land  on  the  opposite  quay,  and  to 
enter  the  public  door  of  the  prison.  It  would  seem 
that  he  had  some  secret  means  of  satisfying  the  vi 
gilance  of  the  different  keepers,  for  bolts  were  drawn, 


THE    BRAVO.  287 

and  doors  unlocked,  with  little  question,  wherever  he 
presented  himself.  In  this  manner  he  quickly  passed 
all  the  outer  barriers  of  the  palace,  and  reached  a 
part  of  the  building,  which  had  the  appearance  of 
being  fitted  for  the  accommodation  of  a  family. 
Judging  from  the  air  of  all  around  him,  those  who 
dwelt  there  took  the  luxury  of  their  abode  but  little 
into  the  account,  though  neither  the  furniture  nor  the 
rooms  were  wanting  in  most  of  the  necessaries, 
suited  to  people  of  their  class  and  the  climate,  and 
in  that  age. 

The  gondolier  had  ascended  a  private  stairway, 
and  he  was  now  before  a  door,  which  had  none  of 
those  signs  of  a  prison,  that  so  freely  abounded  in 
other  parts  of  the  building.  He  paused  to  listen, 
and  then  tapped,  with  singular  caution. 

"Who  is  without?"  asked  a  gentle  female  voice, 
at  the  same  instant  that  the  latch  moved  and  fell 
again,  as  if  she  within  waited  to  be  assured  of  the 
character  of  her  visitor,  before  she  opened  the  door 

"  A  friend  to  thee,  Gelsomina ;"  was  the  answer. 

"  Nayr  here  all  are  friends  to  the  keepers,  if  words 
can  be  believed.  You  must  name  yourself,  or  go 
elsewhere  for  your  answer." 

The  gondolier  removed  the  mask  a  little,  which 
had  altered  his  voice  as  well  as  concealed  his  face. 

"  It  is  I,  Gessina,"  he  said,  using  the  diminutive  of 
her  name. 

The  bolts  grated,  and  the  door  was  hurriedly 
opened. 

"  It  is  wonderful  that  I  did  not  know  thee,  Carlo  !" 
said  the  female,  with  eager  simplicity;  "but  them 
takest  so  many  disguises  of  late,  and  so  counterfeit- 
est  strange  voices,  that  thine  own  mother  might  have 
distrusted  her  ear." 

The  gondolier  paused  to  make  certain  they  were 
alone;  then,  laying  aside  the  mask  altogether,  he 
exposed  the  features  of  the  Bravo. 


288  THE    BRAVO. 

"  Thou  knowest  the  need  of  caution,"  he  added, 
"  and  wilt  not  judge  me  harshly." 

"  I  said  not  that,  Carlo — but  thy  voice  is  so  famil 
iar,  that  I  thought  it  wonderful  thou  could'st  speak 
as  a  stranger." 

"  Hast  thou  aught  for  me  ?" 

The  gentle  girl,  for  she  was  both  young  and  gen 
tie,  hesitated. 

"  Hast  thou  aught  new,  Gelsomina?"  repeated  the 
Bravo,  reading  her  innocent  face  with  his  searching 
glance. 

"  Thou  art  fortunate  in  not  being  sooner  in  the 
prison.  I  have  just  had  a  visitor.  Thou  would'st 
not  have  liked  to  be  seen,  Carlo?" 

"  Thou  knowest  I  have  good  reasons  for  coming 
masked.  I  might,  or  I  might  not  have  disliked  thy 
acquaintance,  as  he  should  have  proved." 

Nay,  now  thou  judgest  wrong;"  returned  the 
female,  hastily,  "  I  had  no  other,  here,  but  my  cousin, 
Annina." 

"Dost  thou  think  me  jealous?"  said  the  Bravo, 
smiling  in  kindness,  as  he  took  her  hand.  "  Had  it 
been  thy  cousin  Pietro,  or  Michele,  or  Roberto,  or 
any  other  youth  of  Venice,  I  should  have  no  other 
dread  than  that  of  being  known." 

*'  But  it  was  only  Annina — my  cousin,  Annina, 
whom  thou  hast  never  seen — and  I  have  no  cousins 
Pietro,  and  Michele,  and  Roberto.  We  are  not 
many,  Carlo.  Annina  has  a  brother,  but  he  never 
comes  hither.  Indeed  it  is  long  since  she  has  found 
it  convenient  to  quit  her  trade  to  come  to  this  dreary 
place.  Few  children  of  sisters  see  each  other  so 
seldom  as  Annina  and  I !" 

"  Thou  art  a  good  girl,  Gessina,  and  art  always 
to  be  found  near  thy  mother.  Hast  thou  naught  in 
particular,  for  my  ear?" 

Again  the  soft  eyes  of  Gelsomina,  or  Gessina,  as 
she  was  familiarly  called,  dropped  to  the  floor — but 


THE   BRAVO.  289 

raising  them,  ere  he  could  note  the  circumstance,  she 
hurriedly  continued  the  discourse. 

"  I  fear  Annina  will  return,  or  I  would  go  with 
thee,  at  once." 

"Is  this  cousin  of  thine  still  here,  then?"  asked 
the  Bravo,  with  uneasiness. — "  Thou  knowest  I 
would  not  be  seen." 

"  Fear  not.  She  cannot  enter  without  touching 
that  bell,  for  she  is  above  with  my  poor  bed-ridden 
mother.  Thou  canst  go  into  the  inner  room,  as 
usual,  when  she  comes,  and  listen  to  her  idle  dis 
course,  if  thou  wilt — or — but  we  have  not  time — for 
Annina  comes  seldom,  and  I  know  not  why,  but  she 
seems  to  love  a  sick  room  little,  as  she  never  stays 
many  minutes  with  her  aunt." 

"  Thou  would'st  have  said,  or  I  might  go  on  my 
errand,  Gessina?" 

"  I  would,  Carlo — but  I  am  certain  we  should  be 
recalled  by  my  impatient  cousin." 

"  I  can  wait ;  I  am  patient  when  with  thee,  dear 
est  Gessina."  • 

"Hist! — 'Tis  my  cousin's  step — Thou  canst 
go  in." 

While  she  spoke,  a  small  bell  rang,  and  the  Bravo 
withdrew  into  the  inner  room,  like  one  accustomed 
to  that  place  of  retreat.  He  left  the  door  ajar,  for 
the  darkness  of  the  closet  sufficiently  concealed  his 
person.  In  the  mean  time,  Gelsomina  opened  the 
outer  door  for  the  admission  of  her  visitor.  At  the 
first  sound  of  the  latter's  voice,  Jacopo,  who  had 
little  suspected  the  fact  from  a  name  which  was  so 
common,  recognized  the  artful  daughter  of  the 
wine-seller. 

"  Thou  art  at  thy  ease,  here,  Gelsomina,"  cried 
the  latter,  entering  and  throwing  herself  into  a  seat, 
ike  one  fatigued.     "  Thy  mother  is  better,  and  thou 
art  truly  mistress  of  the  house." 
2B 


290  THE    BRAVO. 

"  I  would  I  were  not,  Annina,  for  I  am  young  to 
have  this  trust,  with  this  affliction." 

"  It  is  not  so  insupportable,  Gessina,  to  be  mistress 
within  doors,  at  seventeen !  Authority  is  sweet,  and 
obedience  is  odious." 

"  I  have  found  neither  so,  and  I  will  give  up  the 
,rst  with  joy,  whenever  my  poor  mother  shall  be 
able  to  take  command  of  her  own  family,  again." 

"  This  is  well,  Gessina,  and  does  credit  to  the 
good  father  confessor.  But  authority  is  dear  to 
woman,  and  so  is  liberty.  Thou  wast  not  with  the 
maskers  yesterday,  in  the  square  ?" 

"  I  seldom  wear  a  disguise,  and  I  could  not  quit 
my  mother." 

"  Which  means  that  thou  would'st  have  been  glad 
to  do  it.  Thou  hast  good  reason  for  thy  regrets, 
since  a  gayer  marriage  of  the  sea,  or  a  braver 
regatta,  has  not  been  witnessed  in  Venice,  since 
thou  wast  born.  But  the  first  was  to  be  seen  from 
thy  window?" 

"  I  saw  the  galley  of  state  sweeping  toward  the 
Lido,  and  the  train  of  patricians  on  its  deck ;  but 
little  else." 

"  No  matter.  Thou  shalt  have  as  good  an  idea 
of  the  pageant  as  if  thou  had'st  played  the  part  of 
the  doge  himself.  First  came  the  men  of  the  guard 
with  their  ancient  dresses — " 

"  Nay,  this  I  remember  to  have  often  seen ;  for 
the  same  show  is  kept  from  year  to  year." 

"  Thou  art  right ;  but  Venice  never  witnessed 
such  a  brave  regatta  !  Thou  knowest  that  the  first 
trial  is  always  between  gondolas  of  many  oars, 
steered  by  the  best  esteemed  of  the  canals.  Luigi 
was  there,  and  though  he  did  not  win,  he  more  than 
merited  success,  by  the  manner  in  which  he  direct 
ed  his  boat.  Thou  knowest  Luigi  ?" 

"  I  scarce  know  any  in  Venice,  Annina,  for  the 
long  illness  of  my  mother,  and  this  unhappy  office 


THE   BRAVO.  291 

»f  my  father,  keep  me  within,  when  others  are  on 
the  canals." 

"  True.  Thou  art  not  well  placed  to  make  ac 
quaintances.  But  Luigi  is  second  to  no  gondolier, 
in  skill  or  reputation,  and  he  is  much  the  merriest 
rogue  of  them  all,  that  put  foot  on  the  Lido." 

"  He  was  foremost,  then,  in  the  grand  race?" 

"  He  should  have  been,  but  the  awkwardness  of 
his  fellows,  and  some  unfairness  in  the  crossing, 
threw  him  back  to  be  second.  'Twas  a  sight  to 
behold,  that  of  many  noble  watermen  struggling  to 
maintain  or  to  get  a  name  on  the  canals.  Santa 
Maria !  I  would  thou  could'st  have  seen  it,  girl ! " 

"I  should  not  have  been  glad  to  see  a  friend 
defeated." 

"  We  must  take  fortune  as  it  offers.  But  the  most 
wonderful  sight  of  the  day,  after  all,  though  Luigi 
and  his  fellows  did  so  well,  was  to  see  a  poor  fisher 
man,  named  Antonio,  in  his  bare  head  and  naked 
legs,  a  man  of  seventy  years,  and  with  a  boat  no 
better  than  that  I  use  to  carry  liquors  to  the  Lido, 
entering  on  the  second  race,  and  carrying  off  the 
prize !" 

"  He  could  not  have  met  with  powerful  rivals  ?" 

"  The  best  of  Venice ;  though  Luigi,  having 
strived  for  the  first,  could  not  enter  for  the  second 
trial.  'Tis  said,  too,"  continued  Annina,  looking 
about  her  with  habitual  caution,  "  that  one,  who  may 
scarce  be  named  in  Venice,  had  the  boldness  to  ap 
pear  in  that  regatta  masked ;  and  yet  the  fisherman 
won  !  Thou  hast  heard  of  Jacopol" 

"  The  name  is  common." 

"  There  is  but  one  who  bears  it  nowr,  in  Venice. 
• — All  mean  the  same  when  they  say  Jacopo." 

"  I  have  heard  of  a  monster  of  that  name.  Surely 
he  hath  not  dared  to  show  himself  among  the  no- 
bles,  on  such  a  festa  ! " 

"  Gessina,  we  live  in  an  unaccountable  country ! 


292  THE    BRAVO. 

The  man  walks  the  piazza  with  a  step  as  lo1  dly  as 
the  doge,  at  his  pleasure,  and  yet  none  say  a_ght  to 
him  !  I  have  seen  him,  at  noonday,  leaning  against 
the  triumphal  mast,  or  the  column  of  San  Teodoro, 
with  as  proud  an  air  as  if  he  were  put  there  to 
celebrate  a  victory  of  the  republic  !" 

"  Perhaps  he  is  master  of  some  terrible  secret, 
which  they  fear  he  will  reveal  ? " 

"  Thou  knowest  little  of  Venice,  child !  Holy 
Maria  !  a  secret  of  that  kind  is  a  death-warrant  of 
itself.  It  is  as  dangerous  to  know  too  much,  as  it 
is  to  know  too  little,  when  one  deals  with  St.  Mark. 
But  they  say  Jacopo  was  there,  standing  eye  to  eye 
with  the  doge,  and  scaring  the  senators  as  if  he  had 
been  an  uncalled  spectre  from  the  vaults  of  their 
fathers.  Nor  is  this  all ;  as  I  crossed  the  Lagunes 
this  morning,  I  saw  the  body  of  a  young  cavalier 
drawn  from  the  water,  and  those  who  were  near  it, 
said  it  had  the  mark  of  his  fatal  hand  !" 

The  timid  Gelsornina  shuddered. 

"  They  who  rule,"  she  said,  "  will  have  to  answer 
for  this  negligence  to  God,  if  they  let  the  wretch 
longer  go  at  large." 

"Blessed  St.  Mark  protect  his  children!  They 
say  there  is  much  of  this  sort  of  sin  to  answer  for — 
but  see  the  body  I  did,  with  my  own  eyes,  in  enter 
ing  the  canals  this  morning." 

"And  didst  thou  sleep  on  the  Lido,  that  thou 
wert  abroad  so  early  1 " 

"  The  Lido — yes — nay — I  slept  not,  but  thou 
knowest  my  father  had  a  busy  day  during  the 
revels,  and  I  am  not  like  thee,  Gessina,  mistress  of 
the  household,  to  do  as  I  would.  But  I  tarry  here 
to  chat  with  thee,  when  there  is  great  need  of  in 
dustry  at  home.  Hast  thou  the  package,  child, 
which  I  trusted  to  thy  keeping,  at  my  last  visit?" 

"  It  is  here,"  answered  Gelsomina,  opening  a 
drawer,  and  handing  to  her  cousin  a  small  but 


THE   BRAVO.  293 

closely  enveloped  package,  which,  unknown  to  her 
self,  contained  some  articles  of  forbidden  commerce, 
and  which  the  other,  in  her  indefatigable  activity, 
had  been  obliged  to  secrete  for  a  time.  "  I  had  be 
gun  to  think  that  thou  hadst  forgotten  it,  and  was 
about  to  send  it  to  thee." 

"  Gelsomina,  if  thou  lovest  me,  never  do  so  rash 
an  act !  My  brother  Guiseppe — thou  scarce  know- 
est  Guiseppe?" 

"  We  have  little  acquaintance,  for  cousins." 

"  Thou  art  fortunate  in  thy  ignorance.  I  cannot 
say  what  I  might  of  the  child  of  the  same  parents, 
but  had  Guiseppe  seen  this  package,  by  any  acci 
dent,  it  might  have  brought  thee  into  great  trouble!" 

"  Nay,  I  fear  not  thy  brother,  nor  any  else,"  said 
the  daughter  of  the  prison-keeper,  with  the  firmness 
of  innocence  ;  "  he  could  do  me  no  harm  for  dealing 
kindly  by  a  relative." 

"  Thou  art  right ;  but  he  might  have  caused  me 
great  vexation.  Sainted  Maria  !  if  thou  knewest 
the  pain  that  unthinking  and  misguided  boy  gives 
his  family !  He  is  my  brother,  after  all,  and  you 
will  fancy  the  rest.  Addio,  good  Gessina ;  I  hope 
thy  father  will  permit  thee  to  come  and  visit,  at  last, 
those  who  so  much  love  thee." 

"  Addio,  Annina ;  thou  knowest  I  would  come 
gladly,  but  that  I  scarce  quit  the  side  of  my  poor 
mother." 

The  wily  daughter  of  the  wine-seller  gave  her 
guileless  and  unsuspecting  friend  a  kiss,  and  then 
she  was  let  out  and  departed. 

"  Carlo,"  said  the  soft  voice  of  Gessina ;  "  thou 
canst  come  forth,  for  we  have  no  further  fear  of 
visits." 

The  Bravo  appeared,  but  with  a  paleness  deeper 
than  common  on  his  cheek.     He  looked  mournfully 
at  the  gentle  and  affectionate  being  who  awaited  his 
return,  and  when  he  struggled  to  answer  her  ingen 
2B2 


294  THE   BRAVO. 

uous  smile,  the  abortive  effort  gave  his  features  an 
expression  of  ghastliness. 

"  Annina  has  wearied  thee  with  her  idle  discourse 
of  the  regatta,  and  of  murders  on  the  canals.  Thou 
wilt  not  judge  her  harshly,  for  the  manner  in  which 
she  spoke  of  Giuseppe,  who  may  deserve  this,  and 
more.  But,  I  know  thy  impatience,  and  I  will  not 
increase  thy  weariness." 

"  Hold,  Gessina — this  girl  is  thy  cousin  ?  " 

"  Have  I  not  told  thee  so  ?  our  mothers  are  sis 
ters." 

"  And  she  is  here  often?" 

"  Not  as  often  as  she  could  wish,  I  am  certain, 
for  her  aunt  has  not  quitted  her  room  for  many, 
many  months." 

"  Thou  art  an  excellent  daughter,  kind  Gessina, 
and  would  make  all  others  as  virtuous  as  thyself.—* 
And  thou  hast  been  to  return  these  visits  1 " 

"  Never.  My  father  forbids  it,  for  they  are  deal 
ers  in  wines,  and  entertain  the  gondoliers  in  revelry. 
But  Annina  is  blameless  for  the  trade  of  her  pa 
rents." 

"  No  doubt — and  that  package  ?  it  hath  been  long 
in  thy  keeping." 

"  A  month ;  Annina  left  it  at  her  last  visit,  foi 
she  was  hurried  to  cross  to  the  Lido.  But  why 
these  questions  ?  You  do  not  like  my  cousin,  who 
is  giddy,  and  given  to  idle  conversation,  but  who,  I 
think,  must  have  a  good  heart.  Thou  heard'st  the 
manner  in  which  she  spoke  of  the  wretched  bravo, 
Tacopo,  and  of  this  late  murder?" 

« I  did." 

"  Thou  could'st  not  have  shown  more  horror  at 
the  monster's  crime  thyself,  Carlo.  Nay,  Annina  is 
thoughtless,  and  she  might  be  less  worldly ;  but  she 
hath,  like  all  of  us,  a  holy  aversion  to  sin.  Shall  I 
lead  thee  to  the  cell?" 

«  Go  on." 


THE  BRAVO.  295 

"  Thy  honest  nature  revolts,  Carlo,  at  the  cold 
villany  of  the  assassin.  I  have  heard  much  of  his 
murders,  and  of  the  manner  in  which  those  up  above 
bear  with  him.  They  say,  in  common,  that  his  art 
surpasseth  theirs,  and  that  the  officers  wait  for 
proof,  that  they  may  not  do  injustice." 

"  Is  the  senate  so  tender,  think  you?"  asked  the 
Bravo,  huskily,  but  motioning  for  his  companion  to 
proceed. 

The  girl  looked  sad,  like  one  who  felt  the  force 
of  this  question ;  and  she  turned  away  to  open  a 
private  door,  whence  she  brought  forth  a  little  box. 

"  This  is  the  key,  Carlo,"  she  said,  showing  him 
one  of  a  massive  bunch,  "  and  I  am  now  the  sole 
warder.  This  much,  at  least,  we  have  effected ;  the 
day  may  still  come  when  we  shall  do  more." 

The  Bravo  endeavored  to  smile,  as  if  he  appre 
ciated  her  kindness ;  but  he  only  succeeded  in  mak 
ing  her  understand  his  desire  to  go  on.  The  eye  of 
the  gentle-hearted  girl  lost  its  gleam  of  hope  in  an 
expression  of  sorrow,  and  she  obeyed. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

But  let  us  to  the  roof, 

And,  when  thou  hast  survey'd  the  sea,  the  land, 
Visit  the  narrow  cells  that  cluster  there, 
As  in  a  place  of  tombs. 

St.  Marts  Place. 

WE  shall  not  attempt  to  thread  the  vaulted  gal 
leries,  the  gloomy  corridors,  and  all  the  apartments, 
through  which  the  keeper's  daughter  led  her  com 
panion.  Those,  who  have  ever  entered  an  extensive 
prison,  will  require  no  description  to  revive  the  feel- 


296  THE   BRAVO. 

ing  of  pain  which  it  excited,  by  barred  windows, 
creaking  hinges,  grating  bolts,  and  all  those  other 
signs,  which  are  alike  the  means  and  evidence  of 
incarceration.  The  building,  unhappily  like  most 
other  edifices  intended  to  repress  the  vices  of  socie 
ty,  was  vast,  strong,  and  intricate  within,  although, 
as  has  been  already  intimated,  of  a  chaste  and  sim 
ple  beauty  externally,  that  might  seem  to  have  been 
adopted  in  mockery  of  its  destination. 

Gelsomina  entered  a  low,  narrow,  and  glazed  gal 
lery,  when  she  stopped. 

"  Thou  soughtest  me,  as  wont,  beneath  the  water- 
gate,  Carlo,"  she  asked,  "  at  the  usual  hour?" 

"  I  should  not  have  entered  the  prison  had  I  found 
thee  there,  for  thou  knowest  I  would  be  little  seen, 
But  I  bethought  me  of  thy  mother,  and  crossed  the 
canal." 

"  Thou  wast  wrong.  My  mother  rests  much  as  she 
has  done,  for  many  months — thou  must  have  seen 
that  we  are  not  taking  the  usual  route  to  the  cell?" 

"  I  have  ;  but  as  we  are  not  accustomed  to  meet 
in  thy  father's  rooms,  on  this  errand,  I  thought  this 
the  necessary  direction." 

"  Hast  thou  much  knowledge  of  the  palace  and 
the  prison,  Carlo  1" 

"  More  than  I  could  wish,  good  Gelsomina ; — but 
why  am  I  thus  questioned,  at  a  moment  when  I 
would  be  otherwise  employed?" 

The  timid  and  conscious  girl  did  not  answer.  Her 
cheek  was  never  bright,  for  like  a  flower  reared  in 
the  shade,  it  had  the  delicate  hue  of  her  secluded 
life ;  but  at  this  question  it  became  pale.  Accustom 
ed  to  the  ingenuous  habits  of  the  sensitive  being  at 
his  side,  the  Bravo  studied  her  speaking  features  in 
tently.  He  moved  swiftly  to  a  window,  and  looking 
out,  his  eye  fell  upon  a  narrow  and  gloomy  canal. 
Crossing  the  gallery,  he  cast  a  glance  beneath  him, 
and  saw  the  same  dark  watery  passage,  leading  be- 


THE   BRAVO.  297 

tween  the  masonry  of  two  massi\e  piles  to  the  quay 
and  the  port. 

"Gelsomina!"  he  cried,  recoiling  from  the  sight, 
"  this  is  the  Bridge  of  Sighs !" 

"  It  is,  Carlo ;  hast  thou  ever  crossed  it  before?" 

"  Never :  nor  do  I  understand  why  I  cross  it  now 
I  have  long  thought  that  it  might  one  day  be  my  for 
tune  to  walk  this  fatal  passage,  but  I  could  not  dream 
of  such  a  keeper ! " 

The  eye  of  Gelsomina  brightened,  and  her  smile 
was  cheerful. 

"  Thou  wilt  never  cross  it,  to  thy  harm,  with  me." 

"  Of  that  I  am  certain,  kind  Gessina,"  he  answer 
ed,  taking  her  hand.  "But  this  is  a  riddle  that  I 
cannot  explain.  Art  thou  in  the  habit  of  entering 
the  palace  by  this  gallery?" 

"  It  is  little  used,  except  by  the  keepers  and  the 
condemned,  as  doubtless  thou  hast  often  heard ;  but 
yet  they  have  given  me  the  keys,  and  taught  me  the 
windings  of  the  place,  in  order  that  I  might  serve, 
as  usual,  for  thy  guide." 

"  Gelsomina,  I  fear  I  have  been  too  happy  in  thy 
company  to  note,  as  prudence  would  have  told  me, 
the  rare  kindness  of  the  council  in  permitting  me  to 
enjoy  it!" 

"  Dost  thou  repent,  Carlo,  that  thou  hast  known 
me?" 

The  reproachful  melancholy  of  her  voice  touch 
ed  the  Bravo,  who  kissed  the  hand  he  held,  with 
Italian  fervor. 

"  I  should  then  repent  me  of  the  only  hours  of 
happiness  I  have  known  for  years,"  he  said.  "  Thou 
hast  been  to  me,  Gelsomina,  like  a  flower  in  a  des 
ert — a  pure  spring  to  a  feverish  man — a  gleam  of 
hope  to  one  suffering  under  malediction. — No,  no 
not  for  a  moment  have  I  repented  knowing  thee,  my 
Gelsomina!" 

"  'T would  not  have  made  my  life  more  happy 


298  THE    BRAVO. 

Carlo,  to  have  thought  I  had  added  to  thy  sorrows 
I  am  young,  and  ignorant  of  the  world,  but  I  know 
we  should  cause  joy,  and  not  pain,  to  those  we 
esteem." 

"  Thy  nature  would  teach  thee  this  gentle  lesson. 
But,  is  it  not  strange  that  one,  like  me,  should  be 
suffered  to  visit  the  prison  unattended  by  any  othei 
keeper  ? " 

"  1  had  not  thought  it  so,  Carlo ;  but,  surely  it  is 
not  common!" 

"  We  have  found  so  much  pleasure  in  each  other 
dear  Gessina,  that  we  have  overlooked  what  ought 
to  have  caused  alarm." 

"Alarm,  Carlo!" 

"  Or,  at  least,  distrust ;  for  these  wily  senators  dc 
no  act  of  mercy  without  a  motive.  But  it  is  now 
too  late  to  recall  the  past,  if  we  would ;  and  in  that 
which  relates  to  thee  I  would  not  lose  the  memory 
of  a  moment.  Let  us  proceed." 

The  slight  cloud  vanished  from  the  face  of  the  mild 
auditor  of  the  Bravo ;  but  still  she  did  not  move. 

"  Few  pass  this  bridge,  they  say,"  she  added  trem 
ulously,  "  and  enter  the  world  again ;  and  yet  thou 
dost  not  even  ask  why  we  are  here,  Carlo !" 

There  was  a  transient  gleam  of  distrust  in  the 
hasty  glance  of  the  Bravo,  as  he  shot  a  look  at  the 
undisturbed  eye  of  the  innocent  being  who  put  this 
question.  But  it  scarcely  remained  long  enough  to 
change  the  expression  of  manly  interest  she  was 
accustomed  to  meet  in  his  look. 

"  Since  thou  wilt  have  me  curious,"  he  said,  "  why 
hast  thou  come  hither,  and  more  than  all,  being  here, 
why  dost  thou  linger?" 

'•  The  season  is  advanced,  Carlo,"  she  answered, 
speaking  scarcely  above  her  breath,  "  and  we  should 
look  in  vain  among  the  cells." 

"  I  understand  thee,"  he  said ;  "  we  will  proceed." 

Gelsomina  lingered  to  gaze  wistfully  into  the  face 


THE    BRAVO.  299 

»f  her  companion,  but  finding  no  visible  sign  of  the 
agony  he  endured,  she  went  on.  Jacopo  spoke 
hoarsely,  but  he  was  too  long  accustomed  to  dis 
guise,  to  permit  the  weakness  to  escape,  when  he 
knew  how  much  it  would  pain  the  sensitive  and 
faithful  being,  who  had  yielded  her  affections  to  him, 
with  a  singleness  and  devotion  which  arose  nearly 
as  much  from  her  manner  of  life,  as  from  natural 
ingenuousness. 

In  order  that  the  reader  may  be  enabled  to  un 
derstand  the  allusions,  which  seem  to  be  so  plain 
to  our  lovers,  it  may  be  necessary  to  explain  an 
other  odious  feature  in  the  policy  of  the  republic  of 
Venice. 

Whatever  may  be  the  pretension  of  a  state,  in  its 
acknowledged  theories,  an  unerring  clue  to  its  true 
character  is  ever  to  be  found  in  the  machinery  of 
its  practice.  In  those  governments  which  are  cre 
ated  for  the  good  of  the  people,  force  is  applied  with 
caution  and  reluctance,  since  the  protection  and  not 
the  injury  of  the  weak  is  their  object :  whereas  the 
more  selfish  and  exclusive  the  system  becomes,  the 
more  severe  and  ruthless  are  the  coercive  means 
employed  by  those  in  power.  Thus,  in  Venice, 
whose  whole  political  fabric  reposed  on  the  narrow 
foundation  of  an  oligarchy,  the  jealousy  of  the  sen 
ate  brought  the  engines  of  despotism  in  absolute 
contact  with  even  the  pageantry  of  their  titular 
prince,  and  the  palace  of  the  doge  himself  was  pol 
luted  by  the  presence  of  the  dungeons.  The  prince 
ly  edifice  had  its  summer  and  winter  cells.  The 
eader  may  be  ready  to  believe  that  mercy  had  dic- 
ated  some  slight  solace  for  the  miserable,  in  this 
arrangement.  But  this  would  be  ascribing  pity  to 
a  body,  which,  to  its  latest  moment,  had  no  tie  to 
subject  it  to  the  weakness  of  humanity.  So  far 
from  consulting  the  sufferings  of  the  captive,  his 
winter  cell  was  below  the  level  of  the  canals,  while 


THE   BRAVO. 

his  summers  were  to  be  past  beneath  the  leads,  ex 
posed  to  the  action  of  the  burning  sun  of  that  cli 
mate.  As  the  reader  has  probably  anticipated,  al 
ready,  that  Jacopo  was  in  the  prison  on  an  errand 
connected  with  some  captive,  this  short  explanation 
will  enable  him  to  understand  the  secret  allusion  of 
his  companion.  He  they  sought  had,  in  truth,  been 
recently  conveyed  from  the  damp  cells,  where  he  had 
passed  the  winter  and  spring,  to  the  heated  chambers 
beneath  the  roof. 

Gelsomina  continued  to  lead  the  way,  with  a  sad 
ness  of  eye  and  feature,  that  betrayed  her  strong  sym 
pathy  with  the  sufferings  of  her  companion,  but  with 
out  appearing  to  think  further  delay  necessary.  She 
had  communicated  a  circumstance,  which  weighed 
heavily  on  her  own  mind,  and,  like  most  of  her  mild 
temperament,  who  had  dreaded  such  a  duty,  now 
that  it  was  discharged,  she  experienced  a  sensible 
relief.  They  ascended  many  flights  of  steps,  open 
ed  and  shut  numberless  doors,  and  threaded  seve 
ral  narrow  corridors,  in  silence,  before  reaching 
the  place  of  destination.  While  Gelsomina  sought 
the  key  of  the  door,  before  which  they  stopped, 
in  the  large  bunch  she  carried,  the  Bravo  breathed 
the  hot  air  of  the  attic,  like  one  who  was  suffo 
cating. 

"  They  promised  me  that  this  should  not  be  done 
again!"  he  said.— "But  they  forget  their  pledges, 
fiends,  as  they  are!" 

"  Carlo ! — thou  ibrgettest  that  this  is  the  palace  of 
the  doge!"  whispered  the  girl,  while  she  threw  a 
timid  glance  behind  her. 

"  I  forget  nothing  that  is  connected  with  the  repub- 
ic ! — It  is  all  here,"  striking  his  flushed  brow — "  what 
is  not  there,  is  in  my  heart !" 

"  Poor  Carlo  !  this  cannot  last  for  ever — there  will 
be  an  end." 

"  Thou  art  right ;"  answered  the  Bravo,  hoarsely. 


THE   BRAVO.  301 

The  end  is  nearer,  than  thou  thinkest. — No  mat 
ter  ;  turn  the  key,  that  we  may  go  in.'' 

The  hand  of  Geisomina  lingered  on  the  lock,  but 
admonished  by  his  impatient  eye,  she  complied,  and 
they  entered  the  cell. 

"Father!"  exclaimed  the  Bravo,  hastening  to  the 
side  of  a  pallet,  that  lay  on  the  floor. 

The  attenuated  and  feeble  form  of  an  old  man  rose 
at  the  word,  and  an  eye  which,  while  it  spoke  mental 
feebleness,  was  at  that  moment  even  brighter  than 
that  of  his  son,  glared  on  the  faces  of  Geisomina  and 
her  companion. 

"  Thou  hast  not  suffered,  as  I  had  feared,  by  this 
sudden  change,  father!"  continued  the  latter,  kneel 
ing  by  the  side  of  the  straw. — "  Thine  eye,  and  cheek, 
and  countenance  are  better,  than  in  the  damp  caves 
below!" 

"  I  am  happy  here,"  returned  the  prisoner ; — 
"  there  is  light,  and  though  they  have  given  me  too 
much  of  it,  thou  canst  never  know,  my  boy,  the  joy 
of  looking  at  the  day,  after  so  long  a  night." 

"  He  is  better,  Geisomina ! — They  have  not  yet  de 
stroyed  him.  See ! — his  eye  is  bright  even,  and  his 
cheek  has  a  glow!" 

"  They  are  ever  so,  after  passing  the  winter  in  the 
lower  dungeons ;"  whispered  the  gentle  girl. 

"  Hast  thou  news  for  me,  boy? — What  tidings  from 
thy  mother?" 

Jacopo  bowed  his  head  to  conceal  the  anguish  oc 
casioned  by  this  question,  which  he  now  heard  for 
the  hundredth  time. 

"  She  is  happy,  father — happy  as  one  can  be,  who 
so  well  loves  thee,  when  away  from  thy  side." 

"  Does  she  speak  of  me  often  If " 

"  The  last  word  that  I  heard  from  her  lips,  was 
thy  name." 

"Holy  Maria,  bless  her!  I  trust  she  remembeis 
me  in  her  prayers  'I" 

20 


302  THE   BRAVO. 

"Doubt  it  not,  father, — they  are  the  prayers  of  an 
angel!" 

"  And  thy  patient  sister  ? — thou  hast  not  named 
her,  son." 

"  She,  too,  is  well,  father." 

"  Has  she  ceased  to  blame  herself  for  being  the 
innocent  cause  of  my  sufferings  ?" 

"  She  has." 

"  Then  she  pines  no  longer  over  a  blow  that  can 
not  be  helped." 

The  Bravo  seemed  to  search  for  relief  in  the  sym 
pathizing  eye  of  the  pale  and  speechless  Gelsomina. 

"  She  has  ceased  to  pine,  father ;"  he  uttered  with 
compelled  calmness. 

"  Thou  hast  ever  loved  thy  sister,  boy,  with  man 
ly  tenderness.  Thy  heart  is  kind,  as  I  have  reason 
to  know.  If  God  has  given  me  grief,  he  has  blessed 
me,  in  my  children!" 

A  long  pause  followed,  during  which  the  parent 
seemed  to  muse  on  the  past,  while  the  child  rejoiced 
in  the  suspension  of  questions  which  harrowed  his 
soul,  since  those  of  whom  the  other  spoke  had  long 
been  the  victims  of  family  misfortune.  The  old 
man,  for  the  prisoner  was  aged,  as  well  as  feeble, 
turned  his  look  on  the  still  kneeling  Bravo,  thought 
fully,  and  continued. 

"  There  is  little  hope  of  thy  sister  marrying,  for 
none  are  fond  of  tying  themselves  to  the  pro 
scribed." 

"  She  washes  it  not — she  wishes  it  not — she  is 
happy,  with  my  mother  !" 

"It  is  a  happiness  the  republic  will  not  begrudge, 
Is  there  no  hope  of  our  being  able  to  meet  soon?" 

"  Thou  wilt  meet  my  mother, — yes,  that  pleasure 
will  come  at  last!" 

"  It  is  a  weary  time  since  any  of  my  blood,  but 
thee,  have  stood  in  my  sight.  Kneel,  that  I  may 
bless  thee." 


THE    BRAVO.  303 

Jacopo,  who  had  arisen  under  his  mental  torture, 
obeyed,  and  bowed  his  head  in  reverence  to  receive 
the  paternal  benediction.  The  lips  of  the  old  man 
moved,  and  his  eyes  were  turned  to  Heaven,  but 
his  language  was  of  the  heart,  rather  than  that  of 
the  tongue.  Gelsomina  bent  her  head  to  her  bosom, 
and  seemed  to  unite  her  prayers  to  those  of  the 
prisoner..  When  the  silent  but  solemn  ceremony 
was  ended,  each  made  the  customary  sign  of  the 
cross,  and  Jacopo  kissed  the  wrinkled  hand  of  the 
captive. 

"Hast  thou  hope  for  me?"  the  old  man  asked, 
this  pious  and  grateful  duty  done.  "  Do  they  still 
promise  to  let  me  look  upon  the  sun,  again?" 

"  They  do. — They  promise  fair." 

"  Would  that  their  words  were  true !  I  have 
lived  on  hope,  for  a  weary  time — I  have  now  been 
within  these  walls,  more  than  four  years,  methinks." 

Jacopo  did  not  answer,  for  he  knew  that  his 
father  named  the  period  only  that  he  himself  had 
been  permitted  to  see  him. 

"I  built  upon  the  expectation,  that  the  doge 
would  remember  his  ancient  servant,  and  open  my 
prison-doors." 

Still  Jacopo  was  silent,  for  the  doge,  of  whom 
the  other  spoke,  had  long  been  dead. 

"  And  yet  I  should  be  grateful,  for  Maria  and 
the  saints  have  not  forgotten  me.  I  am  not  without 
my  pleasures,  in  captivity." 

"  God  be  praised ! "  returned  the  Bravo.  "  In 
what  manner  dost  thou  ease  thy  sorrows,  father  ? " 

"Look  hither,  boy,"  exclaimed  the  old  man, 
whose  eye  betrayed  a  mixture  of  feverish  excite 
rr.ent,  caused  by  the  recent  change  in  his  prison, 
arid  the  growing  imbecility  of  a  mind  that  was 
gradually  losing  its  powers  for  want  of  use ;  "  dost 
thou  see  the  rent  in  that  bit  of  wood  ?  It  opens  with 
the  heat,  from  time  to  time,  and  since  I  have  been 


304  THE  BRAVO. 

an  inhabitant  here,  that  fissure  has  doubled  in  length 
— I  sometimes  fancy,  that  when  it  reaches  the  knot, 
the  hearts  of  the  senators  will  soften,  and  that  my 
doors  will  open.  There  is  a  satisfaction,  in  watch 
ing  its  increase,  as  it  lengthens,  inch  by  inch,  yeai 
after  year!" 

"Is  this  all?" 

"  Nay,  I  have  other  pleasures.  There  was  a 
spider  the  past  year,  that  wove  his  web  from  yon 
der  beam,  and  he  was  a  companion,  too,  that  I 
loved  to  see ;  wilt  thou  look,  boy,  if  there  is  hope 
of  his  coming  back  ?" 

"  I  see  him  not;"  whispered  the  Bravo. 

"Well,  there  is  always  the  hope  of  its  return. 
The  flies  will  enter  soon,  and  then  he  will  be  looking 
for  his  prey.  They  may  shut  me  up  on  a  false 
charge,  and  keep  me  weary  years  from  my  wife 
and  daughter,  but  they  cannot  rob  me  of  all  my 
happiness  !" 

The  aged  captive  was  mute  and  thoughtful.  A 
childish  impatience  glowed  in  his  eye,  and  he  gazed 
from  the  rent,  the  companion  of  so  many  solitary 
summers,  to  the  face  of  his  son,  like  one  who  began 
to  distrust  his  enjoyments. 

"  Well,  let  them  take  it  away,"  he  said,  burying 
his  head  beneath  the  covering  of  his  bed ;  "  I  will 
not  curse  them !" 

"Father!" 

The  prisoner  made  no  reply. 

"Father!" 

" Jacopo!" 

In  his  turn  the  Bravo  was  speechless.  He  did 
not  venture,  even,  to  steal  a  glance  towards  the 
breathless  and  attentive  Gelsomina,  though  his  bo 
som  heaved  with  longing  to  examine  her  guileless 
features. 

"Dost  thou  hear  me,  son  ?"  continued  the  prison 
er,  nncovenng  his  head  :  "  dost  thou  really  think 


THE   BRAVO.  305 

they  will  have  the  heart  to  chase  the  spider  from 
my  cell?" 

"  They  will  leave  thee  this  pleasure,  father,  for  it 
touches  neither  their  power,  nor  their  fame.  So 
long  as  the  senate  can  keep  its  foot  on  the  neck  of 
the  people,  and  so  long  as  it  can  keep  the  seemliness 
of  a  good  name,  it  will  not  envy  thee  this." 

"  Blessed  Maria,  make  me  thankful ! — I  had  my 
fears,  child  ;  for  it  is  not  pleasant  to  lose  any  friend 
in  a  cell!" 

Jacopo  then  proceeded  to  soothe  the  mind  of  the 
prisoner,  and  he  gradually  led  his  thoughts  to  other 
subjects.  He  laid  by  the  bed-side  a  few  articles  of 
food,  that  he  was  allowed  to  bring  with  him,  and 
again  holding  out  the  hope  of  eventual  liberation, 
he  proposed  to  take  his  leave. 

"  I  will  try  to  believe  thee,  son,"  said  the  old 
man,  who  had  good  reason  to  distrust  assurances 
so  often  made.  "  I  will  do  all  I  can  to  believe  it. 
Thou  wilt  tell  thy  mother,  that  I  never  cease  to 
think  of  her,  and  to  pray  for  her;  and  thou  wilt 
bless  thy  sister,  in  the  name  of  her  poor  imprisoned 
parent." 

The  Bravo  bowed  in  acquiescence,  glad  of  any 
means  to  escape  speech.  At  a  sign  from  the  old 
man  he  again  bent  his  knee,  and  received  the  part- 
ng  benediction.  After  busying  himself  in  arrang 
ing  the  scanty  furniture  of  the  cell,  and  in  trying  to 
open  one  or  two  small  fissures,  with  a  view  to  ad 
mit  more  light  and  air,  he  quitted  the  place. 

Neither  Gelsomina  nor  Jacopo  spoke,  as  they  re 
turned  by  the  intricate  passages  through  which  they 
had  ascended  to  the  attic,  until  they  were  again  on 
the  Bridge  of  Sighs.  It  was  seldom  that  human 
foot  trod  this  gallery,  and  the  former,  with  female 
quickness,  selected  it  as  a  place  suited  to  their  fur 
ther  conference. 

2C2 


306  THE   BRAVO. 

"  Dost  thou  find  him  changed?"  she  asked,  linger 
ing  on  the  arch. 

"  Much." 

"  Thou  speakest  with  a  frightful  meaning!" 

"  I  have  not  taught  my  countenance  to  lie  to  thee 
Gelsomina." 

"  But  there  is  hope. — Thou  told'st  him  there  was 
hope,  thyself." 

"  Blessed  Maria  forgive  the  fraud !  I  could  not 
rob  the  little  life  he  has,  of  its  only  comfort." 

"  Carlo  ! — Carlo ! — Why  art  thou  so  calm  ?  I 
have  never  heard  thee  speak  so  calmly  of  thy 
father's  wrongs  and  imprisonment." 

"  It  is  because  his  liberation  is  near." 

"  But  this  moment  he  was  without  hope,  and  thou 
speakest,  now,  of  liberation  !" 

"  The  liberation  of  death.  Even  the  anger  of  the 
senate  will  respect  the  grave." 

"'Dost  thou  think  his  end  near?  I  had  not  seen 
this  change." 

"  Thou  art  kind,  good  Gelsomina,  and  true  to  thy 
friends,  and  without  suspicion  of  those  crimes  of 
which  thou  art  so  innocent;  but  to  one,  who  has 
seen  as  much  evil  as  I,  a  jealous  thought  comes  at 
every  new  event.  The  sufferings  of  my  poor  father 
are  near  their  end,  for  nature  is  worn  out ;  but  were 
it  not,  I  can  foresee  that  means  would  be  found  to 
bring  them  to  a  close." 

"  Thou  canst  not  suspect  that  any  here  would  do 
him  harm !" 

"  I  suspect  none  that  belong  to  thee.  Both  thy 
father  and  thyself,  Gelsomina,  are  placed  here  by 
the  interposition  of  the  saints,  that  the  fiends  should 
not  have  too  much  power  on  earth." 

"  I  do  not  understand  thee,  Carlo — but  thou  art 
often  so. — Thy  father  used  a  word  to-day  that  I 
could  wish  he  had  not,  in  speaking  to  thee." 

The  eye  of  the  Bravo  threw  a  quick,  uneasy,  sus- 


THE  BRAVO.  307 

picious  glance  at  his  companion,  and  then  averted 
its  look  with  haste. 

"  He  called  thee,  Jacopo !"  continued  the  girl. 

"  Men  often  have  glimpses  of  their  fate,  by  the 
kindness  of  their  patrons." 

"  Would'st  thou  say,  Carlo,  that  thy  father  sus 
pects  the  senate  will  employ  the  monster  he  named  ?" 

"  Why  not  1 — they  have  employed  worse  men.  If 
report  says  true,  he  is  not  unknown  to  them." 

"  Can  this  be  so ! — Thou  art  bitter  against  the  re 
public,  because  it  has  done  injury  to  thy  family;  but 
thou  canst  not  believe  it  has  ever  dealt  with  the 
hired  stiletto." 

"  I  said  no  more  than  is  whispered  daily  on  the 
canals." 

"  I  would  thy  father  had  not  called  thee  by  this 
terrible  name,  Carlo  ! " 

"  Thou  art  too  wise  to  be  moved  by  a  word,  Gel- 
somina.  But  what  thinkest  thou  of  my  unhappy 
father?" 

"  This  visit  has  not  been  like  the  others  thou  hast 
made  him  in  my  company.  I  know  not  the  reason, 
but  to  me  thou  hast  ever  seemed  to  feel  the  hope 
with  which  thou  hast  cheered  the  prisoner ;  while 
now,  thou  seemest  to  have  even  a  frightful  pleasure 
in  despair." 

"  Thy  fears  deceive  thee;"  returned  the  Bravo, 
scarce  speaking  above  his  breath.  "  Thy  fears  de 
ceive  thee,  and  we  will  say  no  more.  The  senate 
mean  to  do  us  justice,  at  last.  They  are  honorable 
Signori,  of  illustrious  birth,  and  renowned  names ! — 
'Twould  be  madness  to  distrust  the  patricians !  Dost 
thou  not  know,  girl,  that  he  who  is  born  of  gentle 
blood  is  above  the  weaknesses  ana  temptations  that 
beset  us  of  base  origin  ?  They  are  men  placed  by 
birth  above  the  weaknesses  of  mortals,  and  owing 
their  account  to  none,  they  will  be  sure  to  do  justice, 
This  is  reasonable,  and  who  can  doubt  it ! " 


308  THE    BRAVO 

.  As  he  ended,  the  Bravo  laughed  bitterly. 

"  Nay,  now  thou  triflest  with  me,  Carlo ;  none 
are  above  the  danger  of  doing  wrong,  but  those 
whom  the  saints  and  kind  Maria  favor." 

"  This  comes  of  living  in  a  prison,  and  of  saying 
thy  prayers  night  and  morning !  No — no — silly  girl, 
there  are  men  in  the  world  born  wise,  from  genera 
tion  to  generation ;  born  honest,  virtuous,  brave,  in 
corruptible,  and  fit  in  all  things  to  shut  up  and  im 
prison  those  who  are  born  base  and  ignoble.  Where 
hast  thou  passed  thy  days,  foolish  Gelsomina,  not  to 
have  felt  this  truth,  in  the  very  air  thou  breathest  ? 
'Tis  clear  as  the  sun's  light,  and  palpable — ay — pal 
pable  as  these  prison  watts  ! " 

The  timid  girl  recoiled  from  his  side,  and  there 
was  a  moment  when  she  meditated  flight ;  for  never 
before,  during  their  numberless  and  confidential  in 
terviews,  had  she  ever  heard  so  bitter  a  laugh,  or 
seen  so  wild  a  gleam  in  the  eye  of  her  companion. 

"  I  could  almost  fancy,  Carlo,  that  thy  father  was 
right  in  using  the  name  he  did;"  she  said,  as  recov 
ering  herself,  she  turned  a  reproachful  look  on  his 
still  excited  features. 

"  It  is  the  business  of  parents  to  name  their  chil 
dren  ; — but,  enough.  I  must  leave  thee,  good  Gel 
somina,  and  I  leave  thee  with  a  heavy  heart." 

The  unsuspecting  Gelsomina  forgot  her  alarm. 
She  knew  not  why,  but,  though  the  imaginary  Carlo 
seldom  quitted,  her  that  she  was  not  sad,  she  felt  a 
weight  heavier  than  common  on  her  spirits  at  this 
declaration. 

"  Thou  hast  thy  affairs,  and  they  must  not  be  for 
gotten.  Art  fortunate  with  the  gondola,  of  late, 
Carlo?" 

"Gold  and  I  are  nearly  strangers.  The  republic 
throws  the  whole  charge  of  the  venerable  prisoner 
on  my  toil." 

"  I  have  little,  as  thou  knowest,  Carlo,"  said  Gc1 


THE    BRAVO.  309 

somrna,  in  a  half-audible  voice;  "but  it  is  thine- 
My  father  is  not  rich,  as  thou  canst  feel,  or  he  would 
not  live  on  the  sufferings  of  others,  by  holding  the 
keys  of  the  prison." 

"  He  is  better  employed  than  those  who  set  the 
duty.  Were  the  choice  given  me,  girl,  to  wear  the 
horned  bonnet,  to  feast  in  their  halls,  to  rest  in  their 
palaces,  to  be  the  gayest  bauble  in  such  a  pagean 
as  that  of  yesterday,  to  plot  in  their  secret  councils, 
and  to  be  the  heartless  judge  to  condemn  my  fellows 
to  this  misery — or  to  be  merely  the  keeper  of  the 
keys  and  turner  of  the  bolts — I  should  seize  on  the 
latter  office,  as  not  only  the  most  innocent,  but  by 
far  the  most  honorable ! " 

"  Thou  dost  not  judge  as  the  world  judges,  Carlo. 
I  had  feared  thou  might'st  feel  shame  at  being  the 
husband  of  a  jailer's  daughter ;  nay,  I  will  not  hide 
the  secret  longer,  since  thou  flpeakest  so  calmly,  I 
have  wept  that  it  should  be  so." 

"Then  thou  hast  neither  understood  the  world 
nor  me.  Were  thy  father  of  the  senate,  or  of  the 
Council  of  Three,  could  the  grievous  fact  be  known, 
thou  would'st  have  cause  to  sorrow.  But  Gelso- 
mina,  the  canals  are  getting  dusky,  and  I  must 
leave  thee." 

The  reluctant  girl  saw  the  truth  of  what  he  said, 
and  applying  a  key,  she  opened  the  door  of  the  cov 
ered  bridge.  A  few  turnings  and  a  short  descent 
brought  the  Bravo  and  his  companion  to  the  level 
of  the  quays  Here  the  former  took  a  hurried  leave 
and  quitted  the  prison. 


310  THE  BRAVO. 


CHAPTEE  XXI. 

But  they  who  blunder  thus  are  raw  beginners. 

Don  Juan 

THE  hour  had  come  for  the  revels  of  the  Pi?  *za, 
and  for  the  movement  of  the  gondolas.  Maskers 
glided  along  the  porticoes  as  usual ;  the  song  and  cry 
were  heard  anew,  and  Venice  was  again  absorbed 
in  delusive  gaiety. 

When  Jacopo  issued  from  the  prison  on  the  quay, 
he  mingled  with  the  stream  of  human  beings  that 
was  setting  towards  the  squares,  protected  from  ob 
servation  by  the  privileged  mask.  While  crossing 
the  lower  bridge  of  the  canal  of  St.  Mark,  he  linger 
ed  an  instant,  to  throw  a  look  at  the  glazed  gallery 
he  had  just  quitted,  and  then  moved  forward  with 
the  crowd — the  image  of  the  artless  and  confiding 
Gelsomina  uppermost  in  his  thoughts.  As  he  passed 
slowly  along  the  gloomy  arches  of  the  Broglio,  his 
eye  sought  the  person  of  Don  Camillo  Monforte. 
They  met  at  the  angle  of  the  little  square,  and  ex 
changing  secret  signs,  the  Bravo  moved  on  un 
noticed. 

Hundreds  of  boats  lay  at  the  foot  of  the  Piazzetta. 
Among  these  Jacopo  sought  his  own  gondola,  wnich 
he  extricated  from  the  floating  mass,  and  urged  into 
the  stream.  A  few  sweeps  of  the  oar,  and  he  lay 
at  the  side  of  La  Bella  Sorrentina.  The  padrone 
paced  the  deck,  enjoying  the  cool  of  the  evening, 
with  Italian  indolence,  while  his  people  sang,  or 
rather  chanted,  a  song  of  those  seas,  grouped  on 
the  forecastle.  The  greetings  were  blunt  and  brief, 
as  is  usual  among  men  of  that  class.  But  the  pad 
rone  appeared  to  expect  the  visit,  for  he  led  his 
guest  far  from  the  ears  of  his  crew,  to  the  other  ex- 
'remity  of  the  felucca. 


THE   BRAVO.  311 

"Hast  thou  aught  in  particular,  good  Roderigo?" 
demanded  the  mariner,  who  knew  the  Bravo  by  a 
sign,  and  yet  who  only  knew  him  by  that  fictitious 
name.  "  Thou  seest  we  have  not  passed  the  time 
idly,  though  yesterday  was  a  festa." 

"  Art  thou  ready  for  the  gulf?" 

"  For  the  Levant,  or  the  pillars  of  Hercules,  as 
shall  please  the  senate.  We  have  got  our  yard  aloft 
since  the  sun  went  behind  the  mountains,  and  though 
we  may  seem  careless  of  delay,  an  hour's  notice  will 
fit  us  for  the  outside  of  the  Lido." 

"  Then  take  the  notice." 

"  Master  Roderigo,  you  bring  your  news  to  an 
overstocked  market.  I  have  already  been  informed 
that  we  shall  be  wanted  to-night." 

The  quick  movement  of  suspicion  made  by  the 
Bravo  escaped  the  observation  of  the  padrone,  whose 
eye  was  running  over  the  felucca's  gear,  with  a  sail 
or's  habitual  attention  to  that  part  of  his  vessel,  when 
there  was  question  of  its  service. 

"  Thou  art  right,  Stefano.  But  there  is  little  harm 
in  repeated  caution.  Preparation  is  the  first  duty  in 
a  delicate  commission." 

"Will  you  look  for  yourself,  Signor  Roderigo?" 
said  the  mariner,  in  a  lower  tone.  "  La  Bella  Sar- 
rentina  is  not  the  Bucentaur,  nor  a  galley  of  the 
Grand  Master  of  Malta ;  but,  for  her  size,  better 
rooms  are  not  to  be  had  in  the  palace  of  the  doge. 
When  they  told  me  there  was  a  lady  in  the  freight, 
the  honor  of  Calabria  was  stirred  in  her  behalf." 

"  'Tis  well.  If  they  have  named  to  thee  all  the 
particulars,  thou  wilt  not  fail  to  do  thyself  credit." 

"  I  do  not  say  that  they  have  shown  me  half  of 
them,  good  Signore ;"  interrupted  Stefar-o.  "  The 
secrecy  of  your  Venetian  shipments  is  my  greatest 
objection  to  the  trade.  It  has  more  than  once  hap 
pened  to  me,  that  I  have  lain  weeks  in  the  canals, 
with  my  hold  as  clean  as  a  friar's  conscience,  when 


312  THE   BRAVO. 

orders  have  come  to  weigh,  with  some  such  cargo 
as  a  messenger,  who  has  got  into  his  berth  as  we 
cleared  the  port,  to  get  out  of  it  on  the  coast  of  Dal- 
matia,  or  among  the  Greek  islands." 

"  In  such  cases  thou  hast  earned  thy  money  ea 
sily." 

"  Diamine !  Master  Roderigo,  if  I  had  a  friend 
in  Venice  to  give  timely  advice,  the  felucca  might 
be  ballasted  with  articles  that  would  bring  a  profit, 
on  the  other  shore.  Of  what  concern  is  it  to  the 
senate,  when  I  do  my  duty  to  the  nobles  faithfully 
that  I  do  my  duty  at  the  same  time  to  the  good  wo 
man  and  her  little  brown  children,  left  at  home,  in 
Calabria?" 

"  There  is  much  reason  in  what  thou  sayest,  Ste 
fano ;  but  thou  knowest  the  republic  is  a  hard  mas 
ter.  An  affair  of  this  nature  must  be  touched  with 
a  gentle  hand." 

"  None  know  it  better  than  I,  for  when  they  sent 
the  trader  with  all  his  movables  out  of  the  city,  I 
was  obliged  to  throw  certain  casks  into  the  sea,  to 
make  room  for  his  worthless  stuffs.  The  senate 
owes  me  just  compensation  for  that  loss,  worthy  Sig- 
nor  Roderigo !" 

"  Which  thou  would'st  be  glad  to  repair,  to-night  ?" 

"  Santissima  Maria !  You  may  be  the  doge  him 
self,  Signore,  for  any  thing  I  know  of  your  coun 
tenance ;  but  I  could  swear  at  the  altar  you  ought 
to  be  of  the  senate  for  your  sagacity  I — If  this  lady 
will  not  be  burthened  with  many  effects,  and  there 
s  yet  time,  I  might  humor  the  tastes  of  the  Dalma- 
ians  with  certain  of  the  articles  that  come  from  the 
countries  beyond  the  pillars  of  Hercules  ! " 

"  Thou  art  the  judge  of  the  probability  thyself, 
since  they  told  thee  of  the  nature  of  thy  errand." 

"  San  *Gennaro  of  Napoli,  open  my  eyes ! — They 
said  not  a  word  beyond  this  little  fact,  that  a  youth 
ful  lady,  in  whom  the  senate  had  great  interest,  would 


THE   BRAVO.  313 

quit  the  city  this  night  for  the  eastern  coast.  If  it 
is  at  all  agreeable  to  your  conscience,  Master  Rode- 
rigo,  I  should  be  happy  to  hear  who  are  to  be  her 
companions?" 

"  Of  that  thou  shalt  hear  more  in  proper  season. 
In  the  meantime,  I  would  recommend  to  thee  a  cau 
tious  tongue,  for  St.  Mark  makes  no  idle  jokes  with 
those  who  offend  him.  I  am  glad  to  see  thee  in  this 
state  of  preparation,  worthy  padrone,  and  wishing 
thee  a  happy  night,  and  a  prosperous  voyage,  I 
commit  thee  to  thy  patron.  But  hold — ere  I  quit 
thee,  I  would  know  the  hour  that  the  land-breeze 
will  serve'/" 

"  You  are  exact  as  a  compass  in  your  own  mat 
ters,  Signore,  but  of  little  charity  to  thy  friends ! 
With  the  burning  sun  of  to-day  we  should  have  the 
air  of  the  Alps,  about  the  turn  of  the  night." 

"  'Tis  well. — My  eye  shall  be  on  thee.  Once  more, 
addio." 

"Cospetto!  arid  thou  hast  said  nothing  of  the 
cargo?" 

"'Twill  not  be  so  weighty  in  bulk  as  in  value," 
carelessly  answered  Jacopo,  shoving  his  gondola 
from  the  side  of  the  felucca.  The  fall  of  his  oar  into 
the  water  succeeded,  and  as  Stefano  stood,  meditat 
ing  the  chances  of  his  speculation  on  his  deck,  the 
boat  glided  away  towards  the  quay,  with  a  swift  but 
easy  movement. 

Deceit,  like  the  windings  of  that  subtle  animal  the 
fox,  often  crosses  its  own  path.  It  consequently 
throws  out  those  by  whom  it  is  practised,  as  well 
as  those  who  are  meant  to  be  its  victims.  When 
Jacopo  parted  from  Don  Camillo,  it  was  with  an  un 
derstanding  that  he  should  adopt  all  the  means  that 
his  native  sagacity,  or  his  experience  might  suggest, 
to  ascertain  in  what  manner  the  council  intended  to 
dispose  of  the  person  of  Donna  Violetta.  They  had 
separated  on  the  Lido,  and  as  none  knew  of  their 
2D 


314  THE   BRAVO. 

interview  but  him,  and  none  would  probably  suspect 
their  recent  alliance,  the  Bravo  entered  on  his  new 
duty  with  some  chances  of  success,  that  might  other 
wise  have  been  lost.  A  change  of  its  agents,  in  af 
fairs  of  peculiar  delicacy,  was  one  of  the  ordinary 
means  taken  by  the  republic  to  avoid  investigation 
Jacopo  had  often  been  its  instrument  in  negotiating 
with  the  marine^  who,  as  has  been  so  plainly  inti 
mated,  had  frequently  been  engaged  in  carrying  into 
effect  its  secret,  and  perhaps  justifiable  measures  of 
police;  but  in  no  instance  had  it  ever  been  found 
necessary  to  interpose  a  second  agent  between  the 
commencement  and  the  consummation  of  its  bar 
gains,  except  in  this.  He  had  been  ordered  to  see 
the  padrone,  and  to  keep  him  in  preparation  for  im 
mediate  service ;  but  since  the  examination  of  An 
tonio  before  the  council,  his  employers  had  neglected 
to  give  him  any  farther  instructions.  The  danger 
of  leaving  the  bride  within  reach  of  the  agents  of 
Don  Camillo  was  so  obvious,  that  this  unusual  cau 
tion  had  been  considered  necessary.  It  was  under 
this  disadvantage,  therefore,  that  Jacopo  entered  on 
the  discharge  of  his  new  and  important  duties. 

That  cunning,  as  has  just  been  observed,  is  apt  to 
overreach  itself,  has  passed  into  a  proverb  ;  and  the 
case  of  Jacopo  and  his  employers  was  one  in  point 
to  prove  its  truth.  The  unusual  silence  of  those  who 
ordinarily  sought  him  on  similar  occasions,  had  not 
been  lost  on  the  agent ;  and  the  sight  of  the  felucca, 
as  he  strayed  along  the  quays,  gave  an  accidental 
direction  to  his  inquiries.  The  manner  in  which 
they  were  aided,  by  the  cupidity  of  the  Calabrian, 
has  just  been  related. 

Jacopo  had  no  sooner  touched  the  quay  and  se 
cured  his  boat,  than  he  hastened  again  to  the  Bro- 
glio.  It  was  now  filled  by  maskers  and  the  idlers 
of  the  Piazzetta.  The  patricians  had  withdrawn  to 
the  scenes  of  their  own  pleasures,  or,  in  furtherance 


THE  BRAVO.  315 

of  that  system  of  mysterious  sway  which  it  was 
their  policy  to  maintain,  they  did  not  choose  to  re 
main  exposed  to  the  common  eye,  during  the  hours 
of  license  which  were  about  to  follow. 

It  would  seem  that  Jacopo  had  his  instructions, 
for  no  sooner  did  he  make  sure  that  Don  Camillo 
had  retired,  than  he  threaded  the  throng  with  the 
air'of  a  man  whose  course  was  decided.  By  this 
time,  both  the  squares  were  full,  and  at  least  half  of 
those  who  spent  the  night  in  those  places  of  amuse 
ment,  were  masked.  The  step  of  the  Bravo,  though 
so  unhesitating,  was  leisurely,  and  he  found  time,  in 
passing  up  the  Piazzetta,  to  examine  the  forms,  and, 
when  circumstances  permitted,  the  features  of  all 
he  met.  He  proceeded,  in  this  manner,  to  the  point 
of  junction  between  the  two  squares,  when  his  elbow 
was  touched  by  a  light  hand. 

Jacopo  was  not  accustomed,  unnecessarily,  to 
trust  his  voice  in  the  square  of  St.  Mark,  and  at  that 
hour.  But  his  look  of  inquiry  was  returned  by  a  sign 
to  follow.  He  had  been  stopped  by  one,  whose 
figure  was  so  completely  concealed  by  a  domino, 
as  to  baffle  all  conjecture  concerning  his  true  char 
acter.  Perceiving,  however,  that  the  other  wished 
to  lead  him  to  a  part  of  the  square  that  was  vacant, 
and  wrhich  was  directly  on  the  course  he  was  about 
to  pursue,  the  Bravo  made  a  gesture  of  compliance 
and  followed.  No  sooner  were  the  two  apart  from 
the  pressure  of  the  crowd,  and  in  a  place  where  no 
eaves-dropper  could  overhear  their  discourse  with 
out  detection,  than  the  stranger  stopped.  He  ap 
peared  to  examine  the  person,  stature,  and  dress  of 
Jacopo,  from  beneath  his  mask,  with  singular  cau 
tion,  closing  the  whole  with  a  sign  that  meant  re 
cognition.  Jacopo  returned  his  dumb  show,  bu. 
maintained  a  rigid  silence. 

Just  Daniel!"  muttered  the  stranger,  when  he 
found  that  his  companion  was  not  disposed  to  speak  • 


316  THE   BRAVO. 

"  one  would  think,  illustrious  Signore,  that  youi 
confessor  had  imposed  a  penance  of  silence,  by  the 
manner  in  which  you  refuse  to  speak  to  your  ser 
vant." 

"What  would'st  thou?" 

"  Here  am  I,  sent  into  the  piazza,  among  knights 
of  industry,  valets,  gondoliers,  and  all  other  manner 
of  revellers  that  adorn  this  Christian  land,  in  search 
of  the  heir  of  one  of  the  most  ancient  and  honorable 
houses  of  Venice." 

"  How  knowest  thou  I  am  he  thou  seekest?" 

"  Signore,  there  are  many  signs  seen  by  a  wise 
man,  that  escape  the  unobservant.  When  young 
cavaliers  have  a  taste  for  mingling  with  the  people 
in  honorable  disguise,  as  in  the  case  of  a  certain 
patrician  of  this  republic,  they  are  to  be  known  by 
their  air,  if  not  by  their  voices." 

"  Thou  art  a  cunning  agent,  Hosea ;  but  the 
shrewdness  of  thy  race  is  its  livelihood!" 

"  It  is  its  sole  defence  against  the  wrongs  of  the 
oppressor,  young  noble.  We  are  hunted  like  wolves, 
and  it  is  not  surprising  that  we  sometimes  show  the 
ferocity  of  the  beasts  you  take  us  for.  But  why 
should  I  tell  the  wrongs  of  my  people  to  one  who 
believes  life  is  a  masquerade  !" 

"  And  who  would  not  be  sorry,  ingenious  Hosea, 
were  it  composed  only  of  Hebrews !  But,  thy  er 
rand  ;  I  have  no  gage  unredeemed,  nor  do  I  know 
that  I  owe  thee  gold." 

"  Righteous  Samuel !  you  cavaliers  of  the  senate 
are  not  always  mindful  of  the  past,  Signore,  or 
these  are  words  that  might  have  been  spared.  If 
your  excellency  is  inclined  to  forget  pledges,  the 
fault  is  not  of  my  seeking ;  but  as  for  the  account 
that  has  been  so  long  growing  between  us,  there  is 
not  a  dealer  on  the  Rialto  that  will  dispute  the 
proofs." 


THE   BRAVO.  317 

"  Well,  be  it  so — would'st  thou  dun  my  father's 
son  m  the  face  of  the  revellers  in  St.  Mark  ? " 

"  I  would  do  no  discredit  to  any  come  of  that 
Illustrious  race,  Signore,  and  therefore  we  will  say 
no  more  of  the  matter ;  always  relying  that,  at  the 
proper  moment,  you  will  not  question  your  own 
hand  and  seal." 

"  I  like  thy  prudence,  Hebrew.  It  is  a  pledge 
thou  comest  on  some  errand  less  ungracious  than 
common.  As  I  am  pressed  for  time,  'twill  be  a  favor 
wert  thou  to  name  it." 

Hosea  examined,  in  a  covert  but  very  thorough 
manner,  the  vacant  spot  around  them,  and  drawing 
nearer  to  the  supposed  noble,  he  continued. 

"  Signore,  your  family  is  in  danger  of  meeting 
with  a  great  loss  !  It  is  known  to  you  that  the  senate 
has  altogether  and  suddenly  removed  Donna  Vio- 
letta,  from  the  keeping  of  the  faithful  and  illustrious 
senator  your  father." 

Though  Jacopo  started  slightly,  the  movement 
was  so  natural  for  a  disappointed  lover,  that  it  rather 
aided  than  endangered  his  disguise. 

"  Compose  yourself,  young  Signore,"  continued 
Hosea ;  "  these  disappointments  attend  us  all  in 
youth,  as  I  know  by  severe  trials.  Leah  was  not 
gained  without  trouble,  and  next  to  success  in  bar 
ter,  success  in  love  is  perhaps  the  most  uncertain. 
Gold  is  a  great  make-weight  in  both,  and  it  com 
monly  prevails.  But,  you  are  nearer  to  losing  the 
lady  of  your  love  and  her  possessions,  than  you  may 
imagine,  for  I  am  sent  expressly  to  say,  that  she  is 
about  to  be  removed  from  the  city." 

"  Whither  1 "  demanded  Jacopo,  so  quickly  as  to 
do  credit  to  his  assumed  character. 

"  That  is  the  point  to  learn,  Signore.    Thy  father 
is  a  sagacious  senator,  and  is  deep,  at  times,  in  the 
secrets  of  the  state.     But,  judging  from  his  uncer 
tainty  on  this  occasion,  I  take  it  he  is  guided  more 
2D2 


318  THE    BRAVO. 

by  his  calculations,  than  by  any  assurance  of  his 
own  knowledge.  Just  Daniel !  I  have  seen  the  mo 
ments  when  I  have  suspected  that  the  venerable 
patrician  himself  was  a  member  of  the  Council  of 
Three!" 

"  His  house  is  ancient  and  his  privileges  well  es 
tablished — why  should  he  not  1 " 

"  I  say  naught  against  it,  Signore.  It  is  a  wise 
body,  that  doeth  much  good,  and  preventeth  much 
harm.  None  speak  evil  of  the  secret  councils  on 
the  Rialto,  wrhere  men  are  more  given  to  gainful  in 
dustry  than  to  wild  discussions  of  their  rulers'  acts. 
But,  Signore,  be  he  of  this  or  that  council,  or  mere 
ly  of  the  senate,  a  heedful  hint  has  fallen  from  his 
lips,  of  the  danger  we  are  in  of  losing " 

"  We  '.—Hast  thou  thoughts  of  Donna  Violetta, 
Hosea?" 

"  Leah,  and  the  law  forbid  ! — If  the  comely  queen 
of  Sheba,  herself,  were  to  tempt  me,  and  a  frail  na 
ture  showed  signs  of  weakness,  I  doubt  that  our 
rabbis  would  find  reasons  for  teaching  self-denial ! 
Besides,  the  daughter  of  Levi  is  no  favorer  of  po 
lygamy,  nor  any  other  of  our  sex's  privileges.  I 
spoke  in  pluralities,  Signore,  because  the  Rialto  has 
some  stake  in  this  marriage,  as  well  as  the  house  of 
Gradenigo." 

"I  understand  thee.  Thou  hast  fears  for  thy 
gold?" 

"  Had  I  been  easily  alarmed,  Signor  Giacomo,  in 
that  particular,  I  might  not  have  parted  with  it  so 
readily.  But,  though  the  succession  of  thy  illustri 
ous  father  will  be  ample  to  meet  any  loan  within 
my  humble  means,  that  of  the  late  Signor  Tieopolo 
will  not  weaken  the  security." 

"  I  admit  thy  sagacity,  and  feel  the  importance 
of  thy  warning.  But  it  seems  to  have  no  other 
object  or  warranty,  than  thy  own  fears." 


THE    BRAVO.  319 

"  With  certain  obscure  hints  from  four  honored 
father,  Signore." 

"  Did  he  say  more  to  the  point?" 

"  He  spoke  in  parables,  young  noble,  but  having 
an  oriental  ear,  his  words  were  not  uttered  to  the 
wind.  That  the  rich  damsel  is  about  to  be  convey 
ed  from  Venice  am  I  certain,  and  for  the  benefit  of 
the  little  stake  I  have  myself  in  her  movements,  I 
would  give  the  best  turquoise  in  my  shop  to  know 
whither." 

"Canst  thou  say  with  certainty,  'twill  be  this 
night." 

"  Giving  no  pledge  for  redemption  in  the  event 
of  mistake,  I  am  so  sure,  young  cavalier,  as  to 
have  many  unquiet  thoughts." 

"  Enough — I  will  look  to  my  own  interests,  and 
to  thine." 

Jacopo  waved  his  hand  in  adieu,  and  pursued  his 
walk  up  the  piazza. 

"  Had  I  looked  more  sharply  to  the  latter,  as  be 
came  one  accustomed  to  deal  with  the  accursed 
race,"  muttered  the  Hebrew,  "  it  would  be  a  matter 
of  no  concern  to  me  if  the  girl  married  a  Turk !" 

"  Hosea,"  said  a  mask  at  his  ear ;  "  a  word  with 
thee,  in  secret." 

The  jeweller  started,  and  found  that,  in  his  zeal, 
he  had  suffered  one  to  approach  within  sound  of  his 
voice  unseen.  The  other  was  in  a  domino  also,  and 
so  well  enveloped  as* to  be  effectually  concealed. 

"What  would'st  thou,  Signor  Mask?"  demanded 
the  wary  Jew. 

"  A  word  in  friendship  and  in  confidence. — Thou 
hast  moneys  to  lend  at  usury?" 

"  The  question  had  better  be  put  to  the  republic" 
treasury  !  I  have  many  stones,  valued  much  below 
their  weight,  and  would  be  glad  to  put  them,  with 
some  one  more  lucky  than  myself,  who  will  be  able 
to  keep  them." 


320  THE  BRAVO. 

"  Nay,  this  will  not  suffice — thou  art  known  to  be 
abounding  in  sequins ;  one  of  thy  race  and  riches 
will  never  refuse  a  sure  loan,  with  securities  as 
certain  as  the  laws  of  Venice.  A  thousand  ducats 
in  thy  willing  hand  is  no  novelty." 

"  They  who  call  me  rich,  Signor  Mask,  are  pleas 
ed  to  joke  with  the  unhappy  child  of  a  luckless 
race.  That  I  might  have  been  above  want — nay, 
that  I  am  not  downright  needy,  may  be  true;  but 
when  they  speak  of  a  thousand  ducats,  they  speak 
of  affairs  too  weighty  for  my  burthened  shoulders. 
Were  it  your  pleasure  to  purchase  an  amethyst,  or 
a  ruby,  gallant  Signore,  there  might  possibly  be 
dealings  between  us  ? " 

"  I  have  need  of  gold,  old  man,  and  can  spare 
thee  jewels  myself,  at  need.  My  wants  are  urgent, 
at  this  moment,  and  I  have  little  time  to  lose  in 
words — name  thy  conditions." 

"  One  should  have  good  securities,  Signore,  to  be 
so  peremptory  in  a  matter  of  money." 

"  Thou  hast  heard  that  the  laws  of  Venice  are 
not  more  certain.  A  thousand  sequins,  and  that 
quickly.  Thou  shalt  settle  the  usury  with  thine  own 
conscience." 

Hosea  thought  that  this  was  giving  ample  room 
to  the  treaty,  and  he  began  to  listen  more  seriously 

"  Signore,"  he  said,  "  a  thousand  ducats  are  not 
picked  up  at  pleasure,  from  the  pavement  of  the 
great  square.  He  who  would  .lend  them,  must  first 
earn  them  with  long  and  patient  toil ;  and  he  who 
would  borrow " 

"  Waits  at  thy  elbow." 

"  Should  have  a  name  and  countenance  well 
known  on  the  Rialto." 

"  Thou  lendest  on  sufficient  pledges  to  masks, 
careful  Hosea,  or  fame  belies  thy  generosity." 

"  A  sufficient  pledge  gives  me  power  to  see  the 
way  clearly  though  the  borrower  should  be  as 


THE   BRAVO.  321 

much  hidden  as  those  up  above.  But  here  is  none 
forthcoming.  Come  to  me  to-morrow,  masked  or 
not,  as  may  suit  your  own  pleasure,  for  I  have  no 
impertinent  desire  to  pry  into  any  man's  secrets, 
beyond  what  a  regard  to  my  own  interests  requires, 
and  I  will  look  into  my  coffers ;  though  those  of  no 
heir-apparent  in  Venice  can  be  emptier." 

"  My  necessities  are  too  urgent  to  brook  delay. 
Hast  thou  the  gold,  on  condition  of  naming  thine 
own  usury  ?" 

"  With  sufficient  pledges  in  stones  of  price,  I 
might  rake  together  the  sum,  among  our  dispersed 
people,  Signore.  But  he  who  goes  on  the  island  to 
borrow,  as  I  shall  be  obliged  to  do,  should  be  able 
to  satisfy  all  doubts  concerning  the  payment." 

"  The  gold  can  then  be  had — on  that  point  I  may 
be  easy?" 

Hosea  hesitated,  for  he  had  in  vain  endeavored 
to  penetrate  the  other's  disguise,  and  while  he 
thought  his  assurance  a  favdrable  omen,  with  a 
lender's  instinct  he  disliked  his  impatience. 

"  I  have  said,  by  the  friendly  aid  of  our  people ;' 
he  answered,  with  caution. 

"  This  uncertainty  will  not  answer  my  need.  Ad 
dio,  Hosea, — I  must  seek  elsewhere." 

"  Signore,  you  could  not  be  more  hurried  were 
the  money  to  pay  the  cost  of  your  nuptials.  Could 
I  find  Isaac  and  Aaron  within,  at  this  late  hour,  I 
think  I  might  be  safe  in  saying,  that  part  of  the 
money  might  be  had." 

"  I  cannot  trust  to  this  chance." 

*!Nay,  Signore,  the  chance  is  but  small,  since 
Aaron  is  bed-ridden,  and  Isaac  never  fails  to  look 
into  his  affairs,  after  the  toil  of  the  day  is  ended. 
The  honest  Hebrew  finds  sufficient  recreation  in  the 
employment,  though  I  marvel  at  his  satisfaction, 
since  nothing  but  losses  have  come  over  our  people 
the  year  past  I " 


322  THE   BRAVO. 

"  I  tell  thee,  Jew,  no  doubt  must  hang  over  the 
negotiation.  The  money,  with  pledges,  and  thine 
own  conscience  for  arbiter  between  us ;  but  no  equiv 
ocal  dealings,  to  be  followed  by  a  disappointment, 
under  the  pretence  that  second  parties  are  nol 
satisfied." 

"Just  Daniel!  to  oblige  you,  Signore,  I  think  1 
may  venture ! — The  well-known  Hebrew,  Levi  of 
Livorno,  has  left  with  me  a  sack,  containing  the  very 
sum  of  which  there  is  question,  and,  under  the  con 
ditions  named,  I  will  convert  it  to  my  uses,  and  re 
pay  the  good  jeweller  his  gold,  with  moneys  of  my 
own,  at  a  later  day." 

"  I  thank  thee  for  the  fact,  Hosea ;"  said  the  other, 
partially  removing  his  mask,  but  as  instantly  replac 
ing  it.  "It  will  greatly  shorten  our  negotiations. 
Thou  hast  not  that  sack  of  the  Jew  of  Livorno  be 
neath  thy  domino  ?" 

Hosea  was  speechless.  The  removal  of  the  mask 
had  taught  him.  twp  material  facts.  He  had  been 
communicating  his  distrust  of  the  Senate's  inten 
tions,  concerning  Donna  Violetta,  to  an  unknown 
person,  and,  possibly,  to  an  agent  of  the  police ;  and 
he  had  just  deprived  himself  of  the  only  argument 
he  had  ever  found  available,  in  refusing  the  attempts 
of  Giacomo  Gradenigo  to  borrow,  by  admitting  to 
that  very  individual,  that  he  had  in  his  power  the 
precise  sum  required. 

"  I  trust  the  face  of  an  old  customer  is  not  likely 
to  defeat  our  bargain,  Hosea?"  demanded  the  profli 
gate  heir  of  the  senator,  scarce  concealing  the  irony 
in  which  the  question  was  put. 

"  Father  Abraham !  Had  I  known  it  had  been 
you,  Signor  Giacomo,  we  might  have  greatly  short 
ened  the  treaty." 

"  By  denying  that  thou  hadst  the  money,  as  thou 
hast  so  often  done  of  late !" 


THE  BRAVO.  323 

"Nay,  nay,  I  am  not  a  swallower  of  my  own 
words,  young  Signore ;  but  my  duty  to  Levi  must 
not  be  forgotten.  The  careful  Hebrew  made  me 
take  a  vow,  by  the  name  of  our  tribe,  that  I  would 
not  part  with  his  gold,  to  any  that  had  not  the  means 
of  placing  its  return  beyond  all  chances." 

"  This  assurance  is  not  wanting,  since  thou  art  the 
borrower,  thyself,  to  lend  to  me." 

"  Signore,  you  place  my  conscience  in  an  awk 
ward  position.  You  are  now  my  debtor  some  six- 
thousand  sequins,  and  were  I  to  make  this  loan  of 
money  in  trust,  and  were  you  to  return  it — two  pro 
positions  I  make  on  supposition — a  natural  love  for 
my  own  might  cause  me  to  pass  the  payment  to 
account,  whereby  I  should  put  the  assets  of  Levi  in 
jeopardy." 

"  Settle  that  as  thou  wilt  with  thy  conscience,  Ho- 
sea — thou  hast  confessed  to  the  money,  and  here  are 
jewels  for  the  pledge — I  ask  only  the  sequins." 

It  is  probable  that  the  appeal  of  Giacomo  Grade- 
nigo  would  not  have  produced  much  effect  on  the 
flinty  nature  of  the  Hebrew,  who  had  all  the  failings 
of  a  man  proscribed  by  opinion ;  but  having  recov 
ered  from  his  surprise,  he  began  to  explain  to  his 
companion  his  apprehensions  on  account  of  Donna 
Violetta,  whose  marriage,  it  will  be  remembered, 
was  a  secret  to  all  but  the  witnesses  and  the  Council 
of  Three,  when  to  his  great  joy  he  found  that  the 
gold  was  wanting  to  advance  his  own  design  of  re 
moving  her  to  some  secret  place.  This  immediately 
changed  the  whole  face  of  the  bargain.  As  the 
pledges  offered  were  really  worth  the  sum  to  be  re 
ceived,  Hosea  thought,  taking  the  chances  of  recov 
ering  back  his  ancient  loans,  from  the  foreign  es 
tates  of  the  heiress,  into  the  account,  the  loan  would 
be  no  bad  investment  of  the  pretended  sequins  of  his 
friend  Levi. 


324  THE   BRAVO. 

As  soon  as  the  parties  had  come  to  a  clear  under 
standing,  they  left  the  square  together,  to  consum 
mate  their  bargain. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

«  We'll  Mow  Cade,  we'll  follow  Cade." 

Henry  VI. 

THE  night  wore  on.  The  strains  of  music  again 
began  to  break  through  the  ordinary  stillness  of  the 
town,  and  the  boats  of  the  great  were  once  more 
in  motion  on  every  canal.  Hands  waved  timidly 
in  recognition,  from  the  windows  of  the  little  dark 
canopies,  as  the  gondolas  glided  by,  but  few  paused 
to  greet  each  other  in  that  city  of  mystery  and  sus 
picion.  Even  the  refreshing  air  of  the  evening  was 
inhaled  under  an  appearance  of  restraint,  which, 
though  it  might  not  be  at  the  moment  felt,  was  too 
much  interwoven  with  the  habits  of  the  people,  ever 
to  be  entirely  thrown  aside. 

Among  the  lighter  and  gayer  barges  of  the  pa 
tricians,  a  gondola  of  more  than  usual  size,  but  of 
an  exterior  so  plain  as  to  denote  vulgar  uses,  came 
sweeping  down  the  great  canal.  Its  movement  was 
leisurely,  and  the  action  of  the  gondoliers  that  of 
men  either  fatigued  or  little  pressed  for  time.  He 
who  steered,  guided  the  boat  with  consummate  skill, 
but  with  a  single  hand,  while  his  three  fellows,  from 
time  to  time,  suffered  their  oars  to  trail  on  the  wa 
ter  in  very  idleness.  In  short,  it  had  the  ordinary 
listless  appearance  of  a  boat  returning  to  the  city, 
from  an  excursion  on  the  Brenta,  or  to  some  of  the 
more  distant  isles. 

Suddenly,  the  gondola  diverged  from  the  centre 


THE    BRAVO.  325 

of  the  passage,  down  which  it  rather  floated  than 
pulled,  and  shot  into  one  of  the  least  frequented  ca- 
nnls  of  the  city.  From  this  moment  its  movement 
became  more  rapid  and  regular,  until  it  reached  a 
quarter  of  the  town  inhabited  by  the  lowest  order 
of  the  Venetians.  Here  it  stopped  by  the  side  of  a 
warehouse,  and  one  of  its  crew  ascended  to  a  bridge. 
The  others  threw  themselves  on  the  tnwarts  and 
seemed  to  repose. 

He  who  quitted  the  boat  threaded  a  few  narrow 
but  public  allies,  such  as  are  to  be  found  in  every 
part  of  that  confined  town,  and  knocked  lightly 
at  a  window.  It  was  not  long  before  the  casement 
opened,  and  a  female  voice  demanded  the  name  of 
him  without. 

"  It  is  I,  Annina  ;"  returned  Gino,  who  was  not  an 
unfrequent  applicant  for  admission,  at  that  private 
portal.  "  Open  the  door,  girl,  for  I  have  come  on  a 
matter  of  pressing  haste." 

Annina  complied,  though  not  without  making  sure 
that  her  suitor  was  alone. 

"  Thou  art  come  unseasonably,  Gino,"  said  the 
wine-seller's  daughter ;  "  I  was  about  to  go  to  St. 
Mark's  to  breathe  the  evening  air.  My  father  and 
brothers  are  already  departed,  and  I  only  stay  to 
make  sure  of  the  bolts." 

"  Their  gondola  will  hold  a  fourth?" 

"  They  have  gone  by  the  footways." 

"  And  thou  walkest  the  streets  alone  at  this  hour, 
Annina?" 

"  I  know  not  thy  right  to  question  it,  if  I  do," 
returned  the  girl,  with  spirit.  "  San  Teodoro  be 
praised,  I  am  not  yet  the  slave  of  a  Neapolitan's 
servitor ! " 

"  The  Neapolitan  is  a  powerful  noble,  Annina,  able 
and  willing  to  keep  his  servitors  in  respect." 

"  He  will  have  need  of  all  his  interest — but  why 
hast  thou  come  at  this  unseasonable  hour?     Thy 
2  E 


326  THE  BRAVO. 

visits  are  never  too  welcome,  Gino,  and  when  I  have 
other  affairs,  they  are  disagreeable." 

Had  the  passion  of  the  gondolier  been  very  deep 
or  very  sensitive,  this  plain  dealing  might  have  given 
him  a  shock ;  but  Gino  appeared  to  take  the  repulse 
as  coolly  as  it  was  given. 

"I  am  used  to  thy  caprices,  Annina,"  he  said, 
throwing  himself  upon  a  bench,  like  one  determined 
to  remain  where  he  was.  "  Some  young  patrician 
has  kissed  his  hand  to  thee  as  thou  hast  crossed  San 
Marco,  or  thy  father  has  made  a  better  day  of  it 
than  common  on  the  Lido — thy  pride  always  mounts 
with  thy  father's  purse." 

"  Diamine !  to  hear  the  fellow,  one  would  think 
he  had  my  troth,  and  that  he  only  waited  in  the  sa 
cristy  for  the  candles  to  be  lighted,  to  receive  my 
vows !  What  art  thou  to  me,  Gino  Tullini,  that  thou 
takest  on  thee  these  sudden  airs'?" 

"  And  what  art  thou  to  me,  Annina,  that  thou 
playest  off  these  worn-out  caprices  on  Don  Camillo's 
confidant ?" 

"  Out  upon  thee,  insolent !  I  have  no  time  to  waste 
in  idleness." 

"  Thou  art  in  much  haste  to-night,  Annina." 

"  To  be  rid  of  thee.  Now  listen  to  what  I  say, 
Gino,  and  let  every  word  go  to  thy  heart,  for  they 
are  the  last  thou  wilt  ever  hear  from  me.  Thou 
servest  a  decayed  noble,  one  who  will  shortly  be 
chased  in  disgrace  from  the  city,  and  with  him  will 
go  all  his  idle  servitors.  I  choose  to  remain  in  the 
city  of  my  birth." 

The  gondolier  laughed  in  real  indifference  at  her 
affected  scorn.  But  remembering  his  errand,  he 
quickly  assumed  a  graver  air,  and  endeavored  to 
still  the  resentment  of  his  fickle  mistress,  by  a  more 
respectful  manner. 

*  St.  Mark  protect  me,  Annina  ! "  he  said.  "  If  we 
are  not  to  kneel  before  the  good  priore  together,  it 


THE   BRAVO  327 

is  no  reason  we  should  not  bargain  in  wines.  Here 
have  I  come  into  the  dark  canals,  within  stone's- 
throw  of  thy  very  door,  with  a  gondola  of  mellow 
Lachryma  Christi,  such  as  honest  'Maso,  thy  father, 
has  rarely  dealt  in,  and  thou  treatest  me  as  a  dog, 
that  is  chased  from  a  church!" 

"  I  have  little  time  for  thee,  or  thy  wines,  to-night, 
Gino.  Hadst  thou  not  stayed  me,  I  should  already 
have  been  abroad  and  happy." 

"  Close  thy  door,  girl,  and  make  little  ceremony 
with  an  old  friend,"  said  the  gondolier,  officiously 
offering  to  aid  her  in  securing  the  dwelling.  Annina 
took  him  at  his  word,  and  as  both  appeared  to  work 
with  good  will,  the  house  was  locked,  and  the  wilful 
girl  and  her  suitor  were  soon  in  the  street.  Their 
route  lay  across  the  bridge  already  named.  Gino 
pointed  to  the  gondola,  as  he  said,  "  Thou  art  not  to 
be  tempted,  Annina?" 

"  Thy  rashness  in  leading  the  smugglers  to  my 
father's  door  will  bring  us  to  harm  some  day,  silly 
fellow!" 

"  The  boldness  of  the  act  will  prevent  suspicion." 

"Of  what  vineyard  is  the  liquor?" 

"  It  came  from  the  foot  of  Vesuvius,  and  is  ripen 
ed  by  the  heat  of  the  volcano.  Should  my  friends 
part  with  it  to  thy  enemy,  old  Beppo,  thy  father  will 
rue  the  hour!" 

Annina,  who  was  much  addicted  to  consulting  her 
interests  on  all  occasions,  cast  a  longing  glance  at 
the  boat.  The  canopy  was  closed,  but  it  was  large, 
and  her  willing  imagination  readily  induced  her  to 
fancy  it  well  filled  with  skins  from  Naples. 

"  This  will  be  the  last  of  thy  visits  to  our  door, 
Gino?" 

"  As  thou  shalt  please. — But  go  down  and  taste — 

Annina  hesitated,  and,  as  a  woman  is  said  always 
to  do  when  she  hesitates,  she  complied.  They  reach 
ed  the  boat,  with  quick  steps,  and  without  regarding 


328  THE   BRAVO. 

the  men  who  were  still  lounging  on  the  thwarts,  An- 
nina  glided  immediately  beneath  the  canopy.  A  fifth 
gondolier  was  lying  at  length  on  the  cushions,  for, 
unlike  a  boat  devoted  to  the  contraband,  the  canopy 
had  the  usual  arrangement  of  a  bark  of  the  canals. 

"  I  see  nothing  to  turn  me  aside !"  exclaimed  the 
disappointed  girl.  "Wilt  thou  aught  with  me, 
Signore?" 

"  Thou  art  welcome.  We  shall  not  part  so  readily 
as  before." 

The  stranger  had  arisen  while  speaking,  and  as 
he  ended,  he  laid  a  hand  on  the  shoulder  of  his  visit 
or,  who  found  herself  confronted  with  Don  Camillo 
Monforte. 

Annina  was  too  much  practised  in  deception  to 
indulge  in  any  of  the  ordinary  female  symptoms, 
either  of  real  or  of  affected  alarm.  Commanding 
her  features,  though  in  truth  her  limbs  shook,  she 
said,  with  assumed  pleasantry — 

"  The  secret  trade  is  honored  in  the  services  of 
the  noble  Duke  of  St.  Agata  !" 

"  I  am  not  here  to  trifle,  girl,  as  thou  wilt  see  in 
the  end.  Thou  hast  thy  choice  before  thee,  frank 
confession,  or  my  just  anger." 

Don  Camillo  spoke  calmly,  but  in  a  manner  that 
plainly  showed  Annina  she  had  to  deal  with  a  reso 
lute  man. 

"What  confession  would  your  eccellenza  have 
from  the  daughter  of  a  poor  wine-seller?"  she  asked, 
her  voice  trembling  in  spite  of  herself. 

"  The  truth — and  remember,  that  this  time  we  do 
not  part  until  1  am  satisfied.  The  Venetian  police 
and  I  are  now  fairly  at  issue,  and  thou  art  the  first 
fruits  of  my  plan." 

"  Signor  Duca,  this  is  a  bold  step  to  take  in  the 
heart  of  the  canals!" 

"  The  consequences  be  mine.  Thy  interest  will 
teach  thee  to  confess.* 


THE   BRAVO.  329 

« I  shall  make  no  great  merit,  Signore,  of  doing 
that  which  is  forced  upon  me.  As  it  is  your  pleas 
ure  to  know  the  little  I  can  tell  you,  I  am  happy  to 
be  permitted  to  relate  it." 

"  Speak,  then ;  for  time  presses." 
"  Signore,  I  shall  not  pretend  to  deny  you  have 
been  ill-treated.  Capperi!  how  ill  has  the  council 
treated  you !  A  noble  cavalier,  of  a  strange  country, 
who,  the  meanest  gossip  in  Venice  knows,  has  a  just 
right  to  the  honors  of  the  senate,  to  be  so  treated  is 
a  disgrace  to  the  republic !  I  do  not  wonder  that 
your  eccellenza  is  out  of  humor  with  them.  Blessed 
St.  Mark  himself  would  lose  his  patience  to  be  thus 
treated!" 

ik  A  truce  with  this,  girl,  a'nd  to  your  facts." 
"  My  facts,  Signor  Duca,  are  a  thousand  times 
clearer  than  the  sun,  and  they  are  all  at  your  eccel- 
lenza's  service.     I  am  sure  I  wish  I  had  more  of 
them,  since  they  give  you  pleasure." 

"  Enough  of  this  profession. — Speak  to  the  facts 
themselves." 

Annina,  who,  in  the  manner  of  most  of  her  class 
in  Italy,  that  had  been  exposed  to  the  intrigues  of 
the  towns,  had  been  lavish  of  her  words,  now  found 
means  to  cast  a  glance  at  the  water,  when  she  saw 
that  the  boat  had  already  quitted  the  canals,  and 
was  rowing  easily  out  upon  the  Lagunes.  Perceiv 
ing  how  completely  she  was  in  the  power  of  Don 
Camillo,  she  began  to  feel  the  necessity  of  being 
more  explicit. 

"  Your  eccellenza  has  probably  suspected  that  the 
council  found  means  to  be  acquainted  with  your  in 
tention  to  fly  from  the  city  with  Donna  Violetta?" 
"  All  that  is  known  to  me." 

"  Why  they  chose  me  to  be  the  servitor  of  the 
noble  lady  is  beyond  my  powers  to  discover.     Our 
Lady  of  Loretto  !  I  am  not  the  person  to  be  sent  for, 
when  the  state  wishes  to  part  two  lovers !" 
2E2 


330  THE   BRAVO. 

"  I  have  "borne  with  thee,  Annina,  because  I  would 
let  the  gondola  get  beyond  the  limits  of  the  city ;  but 
now  thou  must  throw  aside  thy  subterfuge,  and  speak 
plainly.  Where  didst  thou  leave  my  wife?" 

"  Does  your  eccellenza  then  think  the  state  will 
admit  the  marriage  to  be  legal?" 

"  Girl,  answer,  or  I  will  find  means  to  make  thee. 
Where  didst  thou  leave  my  wife?" 

"  Blessed  St.  Theodore  !  Signore,  the  agents  of  the 
republic  had  little  need  of  me,  and  I  was  put  on  the 
first  bridge  that  the  gondola  passed." 

"  Thou  strivest  to  deceive  me  in  vain.  Thou  wast 
on  the  Lagunes  till  a  late  hour  in  the  day,  and  I  have 
notice  of  thy  having  visited  the  prison  of  St.  Mark 
as  the  sun  was  setting ;  and  this  on  thy  return  from 
the  boat  of  Donna  Violetta." 

There  was  no  acting  in  the  wonder  of  Annina. 

"  Santissima  Maria !  You  are  better  served,  Sig 
nore,  than  the  council  thinks  ! " 

"  As  thou  wilt  find  to  thy  cost,  unless  the  truth  be 
spoken.  From  what  convent  didst  thou  come?" 

"  Signore,  from  none.  If  your  eccellenza  has  dis 
covered  that  the  senate  has  shut  up  the  Signora 
Tiepolo,  in  the  prison  of  St.  Mark,  for  safe-keeping, 
it  is  no  fault  of  mine." 

"  Thy  artifice  is  useless,  Annina;"  observed  Don 
Camillo,  calmly.  "  Thou  wast  in  the  prison,  in  quest 
of  forbidden  articles  that  thou  hadst  long  left  with 
thy  cousin  Gelsomina,  the  keeper's  daughter,  who 
little  suspected  thy  errand,  and  on  whose  innocence 
and  ignorance  of  the  world  thou  hast  long  success 
fully  practised.  Donna  Violetta  is  no  vulgar  pris 
oner,  to  be  immured  in  a  jail." 

"  Santissima  Madre  di  Dio  !" 

Amazement  confined  the  answer  of  the  girl  to 
this  single,  but  strong,  exclamation. 

"  Thou  seest  the  impossibility  of  deception.  I  am 
acquainted  with  so  much  of  thy  movements  as  to 


THE   BRAVO.  331 

render  it  impossible  that  thou  should'st  lead  me  far 
astray.  Thou  art  not  wont  to  visit  thy  cousin ;  but 
as  thou  entered  the  canals  this  evening " 

A  shout  on  the  water  caused  Don  Camillo  to 
pause.  On  looking  out  he  saw  a  dense  body  of 
boats,  sweeping  towards  the  town  as  if  they  were 
all  impelled  by  a  single  set  of  oars.  A  thousand 
voices  were  speaking  at  once,  and  occasionally  a 
general  and  doleful  cry  proclaimed  that  the  floating 
multitude,  which  came  on,  was  moved  by  a  com 
mon  feeling.  The  singularity  of  the  spectacle,  and 
the  fact  that  his  own  gondola  lay  directly  in  the 
route  of  the  fleet,  which  was  composed  of  several 
hundred  boats,  drove  the  examination  of  the  girl, 
momentarily,  from  the  thoughts  of  the  noble. 

"  What  have  we  here,  Jacopo?"  he  demanded,  in 
an  under-tone,  of  the  gondolier  who  steered  his  own 
barge. 

"  They  are  fishermen,  Signore,  and  by  the  man 
ner  in  which  they  come  down  towards  the  canals,  I 
doubt  they  are  bent  on  some  disturbance.  There 
has  been  discontent  among  them  since  the  refusal  of 
the  doge  to  liberate  the  boy  of  their  companion  from 
the  galleys." 

Curiosity  induced  the  people  of  Don  Camillo  to 
linger  a  minute,  and  then  they  perceived  the  neces 
sity  of  pulling  out  of  the  course  of  the  floating  mass, 
which  came  on  like  a  torrent,  the  men  sweeping 
their  boats  with  that  desperate  stroke  which  is  so 
often  seen  among  the  Italian  oarsmen.  A  menacing 
hail,  with  a  command  to  remain,  admonished  Don 
Camillo  of  the  necessity  of  downright  flight,  or  of 
obedience.  He  chose  the  latter,  as  the  least  likely 
to  interfere  with  his  own  plans. 

"  Who  art  thou?"  demanded  one,  who  had  as 
sumed  the  character  of  a  leader.  "  If  men  of  the 
Lagunes  and  Christians,  join  your  friends,  and  away 
with  us  to  St.  Mark,  for  justice !" 


332  THE  BRAVO. 

"  What  means  this  tumult?"  asked  Don  Camillo 
whose  dress  effectually  concealed  his  rank,  a  dis 
guise  that  he  completed  by  adopting  the  Venetian 
dialect.  "  Why  are  you  here  in  these  numbers, 
friends?" 

"Behold!" 

Don  Camillo  turned,  and  he  beheld  the  withered 
features  and  glaring  eyes  of  old  Antonio,  fixed  in 
death.  The  explanation  was  made  by  a  hundred 
voices,  accompanied  by  oaths  so  bitter,  and  denun 
ciations  so  deep,  that  had  not  Don  Camillo  been 
prepared  by  the  tale  of  Jacopo,  he  would  have  found 
great  difficulty  in  understanding  what  he  heard. 

In  dragging  the  Lagunes  for  fish,  the  body  of 
Antonio  had  been  found,  and  the  result  was,  first  a 
consultation  on  the  probable  means  of  his  death 
then  a  collection  of  the  men  of  his  calling,  and 
finally  the  scene  described. 

"Giustizia!"  exclaimed  fifty  excited  voices,  as 
the  grim  visage  of  the  fisherman  was  held  towards 
the  light  of  the  moon ;  "  Giustizia  in  Palazzo  e  pane 
in  Piazza!" 

"  Ask  it  of  the  senate !"  returned  Jacopo,  not  at 
tempting  to  conceal  the  derision  of  his  tones. 

"  Thinkest  thou  our  fellow  has  suffered  for  his 
boldness  yesterday?" 

"  Stranger  things  have  happened  in  Venice ! " 

"  They  forbid  us  to  cast  our  nets  in  the  Canale 
Orfano,  lest  the  secrets  of  justice  should  be  known, 
and  yet  they  have  grown  bold  enough  to  drown 
one  of  our  own  people  in  the  midst  of  our  gondolas  !" 

"Justice,  justice  !"  shouted  numberless  hoarse 
throats. 

"  Away  to  St.  Mark's !  Lay  the  body  at  the  feet 
of  the  doge — away,  brethren — Antonio's  blood  is  on 
their  souls!" 

Bent  on  a  wild  and  undigested  scheme  of  assert 
ing  their  wrongs,  the  fishermen  again  plied  their 


THE   BRAVO.  333 

oars,  and  the  whole  fleet  swept  away,  as  if  it  were 
composed  of  a  single  mass. 

The  meeting,  though  so  short,  was  accompanied 
by  cries,  menaces,  and  all  those  accustomed  signs 
of  rage  which  mark  a  popular  tumult  among  those 
excitable  people,  and  it  had  produced  a  sensible 
effect  on  the  nerves  of  Annina.  Don  Camillo  profit 
ed  by  her  evident  terror  to  press  his  questions,  for 
the  hour  no  longer  admitted  of  trifling. 

The  result  was,  that  while  the  agitated  mob 
swept  into  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Canal,  raising 
hoarse  shouts,  the  gondola  of  Don  Camillo  Mon- 
forte  glided  away  across  the  wide  and  tranquil  sur 
face  of  the  Lagunes. 


CHAPTER 


"  A  Clifford,  a  Clifford  !  we'll  follow  the  king  and  Clifford." 

Henry  VI. 

THE  tranquillity  of  the  best  ordered  society  may 
be  disturbed,  at  any  time,  by  a  sudden  outbreaking 
of  the  malcontents.  Against  such  a  disaster  there 
is  no  more  guarding  than  against  the  commission 
of  more  vulgar  crimes;  but  when  a  government 
trembles  for  its  existence,  before  the  turbulence  of 
popular  commotion,  it  is  reasonable  to  infer  some 
radical  defect  in  its  organization.  Men  will  rally 
around  their  institutions,  as  freely  as  they  rallv 
around  any  other  cherished  interest,  when  they 
merit  their  care,  and  there  can  be  no  surer  sign  of 
their  hollowness  than  when  the  rulers  seriously  ap 
prehend  the  breath  of  the  mob.  No  nation  ever 
exhibited  more  of  this  symptomatic  terror,  on  all 


334  THE  BRAVO. 

occasions  of  internal  disturbance,  than  the  pretend' 
mg  republic  of  Venice.  There  was  a  never-ceasing 
and  a  natural  tendency  to  dissolution,  in  her  factious 
system,  which  was  only  resisted  by  the  alertness  of 
her  aristocracy,  and  the  political  buttresses  which 
their  ingenuity  had  reared.  Much  was  said  of  the 
venerable  character  of  her  polity,  and  of  its  conse 
quent  security,  but  it  is  in  vain  that  selfishness  con 
tends  with  truth.  Of  all  the  fallacies  with  whicli 
man  has  attempted  to  gloss  his  expedients,  there  is 
none  more  evidently  false  than  that  which  infers  the 
duration  of  a  social  system,  from  the  length  of  time 
it  has  already  lasted.  It  would  be  quite  as  reasona 
ble  to  affirm  that  the  man  of  seventy  has  the  same 
chances  for  life  as  the  youth  of  fifteen,  or  that  the 
inevitable  fate  of  all  things  of  mortal  origin  was 
not  destruction.  There  is  a  period  in  human  exist 
ence,  when  the  principle  of  vitality  has  to  contend 
with  the  feebleness  of  infancy,  but  this  probationary 
state  passed,  the  child  attains,  the  age  when  it  has 
the  most  reasonable  prospect  of  living.  Thus  the 
social,  like  any  other,  machine,  which  has  run  just 
long  enough  to  prove  its  fitness,  is  at  the  precise 
period  when  it  is  least  likely  to  fail,  and  although  he 
that  is  young  may  not  live  to  become  old,  it  is  cer 
tain  that  he  who  is  old  was  once  young.  The  em 
pire  of  China  was,  in  its  time,  as  youthful  as  our 
own  republic,  nor  can  we  see  any  reason  for  be 
lieving  that  it  is  to  outlast  us,  from  the  decrepitude 
which  is  a  natural  companion  of  its  years. 

At  the  period  of  our  tale,  Venice  boasted  much 
of  her  antiquity,  and  dreaded,  in  an  equal  degree, 
her  end.  She  was  still  strong  in  her  combinations, 
but  they  were  combinations  that  had  the  vicious 
error  of  being  formed  for  the  benefit  of  the  minori 
ty,  and  which,  like  the  mimic  fortresses  and  moats 
of  a  scenic  representation,  needed  only  a  strong 
tight  to  destroy  the  illusion.  The  alarm  with 


THE    BRAVO.  335 

which  the  patricians  heard  the  shouts  of  the  fisher 
men,  as  they  swept  by  the  different  palaces,  on 
their  way  to  the  great  square,  can  be  readily  ima 
gined.  Some  feared  that  the  final  consummation  of 
their  artificial  condition,  which  had  so  long  been 
anticipated  by  a  secret  political  instinct,  was  at 
length  arrived,  and  began  to  bethink  them  of  the 
safest  means  of  providing  for  their  own  security. 
Some  listened  in  admiration,  for  habit  had  so  far 
mastered  dullness,  as  to  have  created  a  species  of 
identity  between  the  state  and  far  more  durable 
things,  and  they  believed  that  St.  Mark  had  gained 
a  victory,  in  that  decline,  which  was  never  exactly 
intelligible  to  their  apathetic  capacities.  But  a  few, 
and  these  were  the  spirits  that  accumulated  all  the 
national  good  which  was  vulgarly  and  falsely 
ascribed  to  the  system  itself,  intuitively  compre 
hended  the  danger,  with  a  just  appreciation  of  its 
magnitude,  as  well  as  of  the  means  to  avoid  it. 

But  the  rioters  were  unequal  to  any  estimate  of 
their  own  force,  and  had  little  aptitude  in  measuring 
their  accidental  advantages.  They  acted  merely 
on  impulse.  The  manner  in  which  their  aged  com 
panion  had  triumphed  on  the  preceding  day,  his 
cold  repulse  by  the  doge,  and  the  scene  of  the  Lido, 
which  in  truth  led  to  the  death  of  Antonio,  had  pre 
pared  their  minds  for  the  tumult.  When  the  body 
was  found,  therefore,  after  the  time  necessary  to 
collect  their  forces  on  the  Lagunes,  they  yielded  to 
passion,  and  moved  away  towards  the  palar,e  of 
St.  Mark,  as  described,  without  any  other  definite 
object  than  a  simple  indulgence  of  feeling. 

On  entering  the  canal,  the  narrowness  of  the  pas 
sage  compressed  the  boats  into  a  mass  so  dense,  as, 
in  a  measure,  to  impede  the  use  of  oars,  and  the 
progress  of  the  crowd  was  necessarily  slow.  All 
were  anxious  to  get  as  near  as  possible  to  the  body 
of  Antonio,  and,  like  all  mobs,  they  in  some  degree 


336  THE   BRAVO. 

frustrated  their  own  objects,  by  ill-regulated  zeal 
Once  or  twice  the  names  of  offensive  senators  were 
shouted,  as  if  the  fishermen  intended  to  visit  the 
crimes  of  the  state  on  its  agents;  but  these  cries 
passed  away  in  the  violent  breath  that  was  expend 
ed.  On  reaching  the  bridge  of  the  Rialto,  more 
than  half  of  the  multitude  landed,  and  took  the 
shorter  course  of  the  streets  to  the  point  of  destina 
tion,  while  those  in  front  got  on  the  faster,  for  being 
disembarrassed  of  the  pressure  in  the  rear.  As 
they  drew  nearer  to  the  port,  the  boats  began  to 
loosen,  and  to  take  something  of  the  form  of  a 
funeral  procession. 

It  was  during  this  moment  of  change  that  a 
powerfully  manned  gondola,  swept,  with  strong 
strokes,  out  of  a  lateral  passage  into  the  Great 
Canal.  Accident  brought  it  directly  in  front  of  the 
moving  phalanx  of  boats,  that  was  coming  down 
the  same  channel.  Its  crew  seemed  staggered  by 
the  extraordinary  appearance,  which  met  their 
view,  and  for  an  instant  its  course  was  undecided. 

"  A  gondola  of  the  republic  !"  shouted  fifty  fisher 
men.  A  single  voice  added — "  Canale  Orfano  !" 

The  bare  suspicion  of  such  an  errand,  as  was 
implied  by  the  latter  words,  and  at  that  moment, 
was  sufficient  to  excite  the  mob.  They  raised  a 
cry  of  denunciation,  and  some  twenty  boats  made 
a  furious  demonstration  of  pursuit.  The  menace, 
however,  was  sufficient ;  for  quicker  far  than  the 
movements  of  the  pursuers,  the  gondoliers  of  the 
republic  dashed  towards  the  shore,  and  leaping  on 
one  of  those  passages  of  planks,  which  encircle  so 
many  of  the  palaces  of  Venice,  they  disappeared 
by  an  alley. 

Encouraged  by  this  success,  the  fishermen  seized 
the  boat  as  a  waif,  and  towed  it  into  their  own  fleet, 
filling  the  air  with  cries  of  triumph.  Curiosity  led 


THE    BRAVO.  337 

*  few  to  enter  the  hearse-like  canopy,  whence  they 
.rnmediately  reissued,  dragging  forth  a  priest. 

"Who  art  thou?"  hoarsely  demanded  he,  who 
took  upon  himself  the  authority  of  a  leader. 

"  A  Carmelite,  and  a  servant  of  God !" 

"  Dost  thou  serve  St.  Mark  ?  Hast  thou  been  to 
the  Canale  Orfano,  to  shrive  a  wretch  ? " 

"  I  am  here,  in  attendance  on  a  young  and  noble 
lady,  who  has  need  of  my  council  and  prayers.  The 
happy  and  the  miserable,  the  free  and  the  captive, 
are  equally  my  care  !  " 

"  Ha  !— Thou  art  not  above  thy  office  ?— Thou 
wilt  say  the  prayers  for  the  dead,  in  behalf  of  a 
poor  man's  soul?" 

"  My  son,  I  know  no  dif^rence,  in  this  respect, 
between  the  doge  and  the  poorest  fisherman.  Still 
I  would  not  willingly  desert  the  females." 

"  The  ladies  shall  receive  no  harm.  Come  into 
my  boat,  for  there  is  need  of  thy  holy  office." 

Father  Anselmo — the  reader  will  readily  anti 
cipate  that  it  was  he — entered  the  canopy,  said  a 
few  words  in  explanation,  to  his  trembling  com 
panions,  and  complied.  He  was  rowed  to  the  lead 
ing  gondola,  and,  by  a  sign,  directed  to  the  dead 
body. 

"Thou  see'st  that  corpse,  father?"  continued  his 
conductor.  "  It  is  the  face  of  one  who  was  an  up 
right  and  pious  Christian!" 

"  He  was." 

"  We  all  knew  him  as  the  oldest  and  the  most  skil 
ful  fisherman  of  the  Lagunes,  and  one  ever  ready 
to  assist  an  unlucky  companion." 

"  I  can  believe  thee  !" 

"  Thou  mayest,  for  the  holy  books  are  not  more 
true  than  my  words — yesterday  he  came  down 
this  very  canal,  in  triumph,  for  he  bore  away  the 
honors  of  the  regatta  from  the  stoutest  oars  in 
Venice." 

2F 


338  THE   BRAVO. 

"  I  have  heard  of  his  success." 

"  They  say  that  Jacopo,  the  Bravo — he  who  onc« 
held  the  best  oar  in  the  canals — was  of  the  party  t 
Santa  Madonna !  such  a  man  was  too  precious  to 
die!" 

"  It  is  the  fate  of  all — rich  and  poor,  strong  and 
feeble,  happy  and  miserable,  must  alike  come  to  this 
end." 

"Not  to  this  end,  reverend  Carmelite,  for  Anto 
nio  having  given  offence  to  the  republic,  in  the  mat 
ter  of  a  grandson  that  is  pressed  for  the  galleys,  has 
been  sent  to  purgatory  without  a  Christian  hope  for 
his  soul." 

There  is  an  eye  that  watcheth  on  the  meanest  of 
us,  son ;  we  will  believe  he  was  not  forgotten." 

"  Cospetto  ! — They  say  that  those  the  senate  look 
black  upon,  get  but  little  aid  from  the  church !  Wilt 
thou  pray  for  him,  Carmelite,  and  make  good  thy 
words?" 

"  I  will,"  said  Father  Anselmo,  firmly.  "  Make 
room,  son,  that  no  decency  of  my  duty  be  over 
looked." 

The  swarthy,  expressive,  faces  of  the  fishermen 
gleamed  with  satisfaction,  for  in  the  midst  of  the 
rude  turmoil,  they  all  retained  a  deep  and  rooted 
respect  for  the  offices  of  the  church  in  which  they 
had  been  educated.  Silence  was  quickly  obtained, 
and  the  boats  moved  on  with  greater  order  than 
before. 

The  spectacle  was  now  striking — In  front  rowed 
the  gondola  which  contained  the  remains  of  the 
dead.  The  widening  of  the  canal,  as  it  approached 
the  port,  permitted  the  rays  of  the  moon  to  fall  upon 
the  rigid  features  of  old  Antonio,  which  were  set  in 
such  a  look,  as  might  be  supposed  to  characterize 
the  dying  thoughts  of  a  man  so  suddenly  and  so 
fearfully  destroyed.  The  Carmelite,  bare-headed, 
*vjth  clasped  hands,  and  a  devout  heart,  bowed  hip 


THE   BRAVO.  339 

head  at  the  feet  of  the  body,  with  his  white  robes 
flowing  in  the  light  of  the  moon.  A  single  gondolier 
guided  the  boat,  and  no  other  noise  was  audible  but 
the  plash  of  the  water,  as  the  oars  slowly  fell  and 
rose  together.  This  silent  procession  lasted  a  few 
minutes,  and  then  the  tremulous  voice  of  the  monk 
was  heard  chanting  the  prayers  for  the  dead.  The 
practised  fishermen,  for  lew  in  that  disciplined 
church,  and  that  obedient  age,  were  ignorant  of 
those  solemn  rites,  took  up  the  responses,  in  a  man 
ner  that  must  be  familiar  to  every  ear  that  has  ever 
listened  to  the  sounds  of  Italy,  the  gentle  was/ling  of 
the  element,  on  which  they  glided,  forming  a  soft 
accompaniment.  Casement  after  casement  opened 
while  they  passed,  and  a  thousand  curious  and  anx 
ious  faces  crowded  the  balconies,  as  the  funeral  cor 
tege  swept  slowly  on. 

The  gondola  of  the  republic  was  towed  in  the 
centre  of  the  moving  mass,  by  fifty  lighter  boats,  for 
the  fishermen  still  clung  to  their  prize.  In  this  man 
ner  the  solemn  procession  entered  the  port,  and 
touched  the  quay  at  the  foot  of  the  Piazzetta.  While 
numberless  eager  hands  were  aiding  in  bringing  the 
body  of  Antonio  to  land,  there  arose  a  shout  from 
the  centre  of  the  ducal  palace,  which  proclaimed  the 
presence  already  of  the  other  part  of  tneir  body  in 
its  court. 

The  squares  of  St.  Mark  now  presented  a  novel 
picture.  The  quaint  and  oriental  chuiv/h,  the  rows 
of  massive  and  rich  architecture,  the  giddy  pile  of 
the  Campanile,  the  columns  of  granite,  the  masts  of 
triumph,  and  all  those  peculiar  and  remarkable  fix 
tures,  which  had  witnessed  so  many  scenes  of  vio 
lence,  of  rejoicing,  of  mourning,  and  of  gaiety,  were 
there,  like  kind-marks  of  the  earth,  defying  time; 
beautiful  and  venerable  in  despite  of  all  those  vary- 
'ng  exhibitions  of  human  passions,  that  were  daily 
acted  around  them. 


340  THE  BRAVC 

But  the  song,  the  laugh,  and  the  jest,  had  ceased. 
The  lights  of  the  coffee-houses  had  disappeared,  the 
revellers  had  fled  to  their  homes,  fearful  of  being 
confounded  with  those  who  braved  the  anger  of  the 
senate,  while  the  grotesque,  the  ballad-singers,  and 
the  buffoon,  had  abandoned  their  assumed  gaiety  for 
an  appearance  more  in  unison  with  the  true  feelings 
of  their  hearts. 

"  Giustizia ! — "  cried  a  thousand  deep  voices,  as 
the  body  of  Antonio  was  borne  into  the  court — 
"Illustrious  Doge!  Giustizia  in  palazzo,  e  pane  in 
piazza!  Give  us  justice!  We  are  beggars  for 
justice!" 

The  gloomy  but  vast  court  was  paved  with  the 
swarthy  faces  and  glittering  eyes  of  the  fishermen. 
The  corpse  was  laid  at  the  foot  of  the  Giant's  Stairs, 
while  the  trembling  halberdier  at  the  head  of  the 
flight,  scarce  commanded  himself  sufficiently  to 
maintain  that  air  of  firmness,  which  was  exacted 
by  disc  ipline  and  professional  pride.  But  there  was 
no  other  show  of  military  force,  for  the  politic  pow 
er,  which  ruled  in  Venice,  knew  too  well  its  moment 
ary  impotency  to  irritate  when  it  could  not  quell. 
The  mob  beneath  was  composed  of  nameless  rioters, 
whose  punishment  could  carry  no  other  consequences 
than  the  suppression  of  immediate  danger,  and  for 
that,  those  who  ruled  were  not  prepared. 

The  Council  of  Three  had  been  apprized  of  the 
arrival  of  the  excited  fishermen.  When  the  mob 
entered  the  court,  it  was  consulting  in  secret  con 
clave,  on  the  probabilities  of  the  tumult  having  a 
graver  and  more  determined  object,  than  was  ap 
parent  in  the  visible  symptoms.  The  routine  oi 
office  had  not  yet  dispossessed  the  men  already  pre 
sented  to  the  reader,  of  their  dangerous  and  des 
potic  power. 

"  Are  the  Dalmatians  apprized  of  this  movement?*1 
asked  one  of  the  secret  tribunal,  whose  nerves  wei'e 


THE   BRAVO.  341 

scarcely  equal  to  the  high  functions  he  discharged. 
"  We  may  have  occasion  for  their  volleys,  ere  this 
riot  is  appeased." 

"  Confide  in  the  ordinary  authorities  for  that,  Sig- 
nore,"  answered  the  Senator  Gradenigo.  "  I  have 
only  concern,  lest  some  conspiracy,  which  may 
touch  the  fidelity  of  the  troops,  lies  concealed  be 
neath  the  outcry." 

"  The  evil  passions  of  man  know  no  limits  !  What 
would  the  wretches  have  ?  For  a  state  in  the  decline, 
Venice  is  to  the  last  degree  prosperous.  Our  ships 
are  thriving ;  the  bank  flourishes  with  goodly  divi 
dends  ;  and  I  do  assure  you,  Signore,  that,  for  many 
years,  I  have  not  known  so  ample  revenues  for  most 
of  our  interests,  as  at  this  hour.  All  cannot  thrive 
alike!" 

"  You  are  happily  connected  with  flourishing  af 
fairs,  Signore,  but  there  are  many  that  are  less  lucky. 
Our  form  of  government  is  somewhat  exclusive,  and 
it  is  a  penalty  that  we  have  ever  paid  for  its  advan 
tages,  to  be  liable  to  sudden  and  malevolent  accu 
sations,  for  any  evil  turn  of  fortune  that  besets  the 
republic." 

"  Can  nothing  satisfy  these  exacting  spirits  ?  Are 
they  not  free — are  they  not  happy?" 

"  It  would  seem  that  they  want  better  assurance 
of  these  facts,  than  our  own  feelings,  or  our  words.'* 

"  Man  is  the  creature  of  envy !  The  poor  desire 
to  be  rich — the  weak,  powerful." 

"  There  is  an  exception  to  your  rule,  at  least,  Sig 
nore,  since  the  rich  rarely  wish  to  be  poor,  or  the 
powerful,  weak." 

"  You  deride  my  sentiments,  to-night,  Signor  Gra 
denigo.  I  speak,  I  hope,  as  becomes  a  senator  of 
Venice,  and  in  a  manner  that  you  are  not  unaccus 
tomed  to  hear!" 

"  Nay,  the  language  is  not  unusual.     But  I  feai 
me,  there  is  something  unsuited  to  a  falling  fortune, 
2F2 


342  THE    BRAVO. 

in  the  exacting  and  narrow  spirit  of  our  laws 
When  a  state  is  eminently  flourishing,  its  subjects 
overlook  general  defects,  in  private  prosperity,  but 
there  is  no  more  fastidious  commentator  on  meas 
ures  than  your  merchant  of  a  failing  trade." 

"  This  is  their  gratitude !  Have  we  not  converted 
these  muddy  isles  into  a  mart  for  half  Christendom, 
and  now  they  are  dissatisfied  that  they  cannot  retain 
all  the  monopolies  that  the  wisdom  of  our  ancestors 
has  accumulated." 

"  They  complain  much  in  your  own  spirit,  Sig- 
nore, — but  you  are  right  in  saying  the  present  riot 
must  be  looked  to.  Let  us  seek  his  highness,  who 
will  go  out  to  the  people,  with  such  patricians  as 
may  be  present,  and  one  of  our  number  as  a  witness : 
more  than  that  might  expose  our  character." 

The  Secret  Council  withdrew  to  carry  this  resolu 
tion  into  effect,  just  as  the  fishermen  in  the  court  re 
ceived  the  accession  of  those  who  arrived  by  water 

There  is  no  body  so  sensible  of  an  increase  of  its 
members  as  a  mob.  Without  discipline,  and  depend* 
ent  solely  on  animal  force  for  its  ascendency,  the 
sentiment  of  physical  power  is  blended  with  its  very 
existence.  When  they  saw  the  mass  of  living  beings 
which  had  assembled  within  the  wall  of  the  ducal 
palace,  the  most  audacious  of  that  throng  became 
more  hardy,  and  even  the  wavering  grew  strong. 
This  is  the  reverse  of  the  feeling  which  prevails 
among  those  who  are  called  on  to  repress  this  species 
of  violence,  who  generally  gain  courage  as  its  exhi 
bition  is  least  required. 

The  throng  in  the  court  was  raising  one  of  its 
loudest  and  most  menacing  cries  as  the  train  of  the 
doge  appeared,  approaching  by  one  of  the  long  open 
galleries  of  the  principal  floor  of  the  edifice. 

The  presence  of  the  venerable  man  who  nomi 
nally  presided  over  that  factitious  state,  and  the  long 
training  of  the  fishermen  in  habits  of  deference  to 


THE   BRAVO.  343 

authority,  notwithstanding  their  present  tone  of  in 
subordination,  caused  a  sudden  and  deep  silence.  A 
feeling  of  awe  gradually  stole  over  the  thousand  dark 
faces  tnat  were  gazing  upwards,  as  the  little  cor 
tege  drew  near.  So  profound,  indeed,  was  the  still 
ness  caused  by  this  sentiment,  that  the  rustling  of 
the  ducal  robes  was  audible,  as  the  prince,  impeded 
by  his  infirmities,  and  consulting  the  state  usual  to  his 
rank,  slowly  advanced.  The  previous  violence  of 
the  untutored  fishermen,  and  their  present  deference 
to  the  external  state  that  met  their  eyes,  had  its  ori 
gin  in  the  same  causes ; — ignorance  and  habit  were 
the  parents  of  both. 

"Why  are  ye  assembled  here,  my  children?" 
asked  the  doge,  when  he  had  reached  the  summit 
of  the  Giant's  Stairs, — "  and  most  of  all,  why  have 
ye  come  into  the  palace  of  your  prince,  with  these 
unbefitting  cries  ?" 

The  tremulous  voice  of  the  old  man  was  clearly 
audible,  for  the  lowest  of  its  tones  was  scarcely  in 
terrupted  by  a  breath.  The  fishermen  gazed  at 
each  other,  and  all  appeared  to  search  for  him  who 
might  be  bold  enough  to  answer.  At  length  one  in 
the  centre  of  the  crowded  mass,  and  effectually  con 
cealed  from  observation,  cried,  "Justice!" 

"  Such  is  our  object,"  mildly  continued  the  prince  ; 
"  and  such,  I  will  add,  is  our  practice.  Why  are  ye 
assembled  here,  in  a  manner  so  offensive  to  the  state, 
and  so  disrespectful  to  your  prince?" 

Still  none  answered.  The  only  spirit  of  their 
body,  which  had  been  capable  of  freeing  itself  from 
the  trammels  of  usage  and  prejudice,  had  deserted 
the  shell  which  lay  on  the  lower  step  of  the  Giant's 
Stairs. 

"  Will  none  speak  ? — are  ye  so  bold  with  your 
voices  when  unquestioned,  and  so  silent  when  con 
fronted'?" 

"  Speak  them  fair,  your  highness,"  whispered  he 


344  THE   BRAVO 

of  the  council,  who  was  commissioned  to  be  a  secret 
witness  of  the  interview; — "the  Dalmatians  are 
scarce  yet  apparelled." 

The  prince  bowed  to  advice  which  he  well  knew 
must  be  respected,  and  he  assumed  his  former  tone. 

"  If  none  will  acquaint  me  with  your  wants,  I  must 
command  you  to  retire,  and  while  my  parental  heart 
grieves " 

"Giustiza!"  repeated  the  hidden  member  of  the 
crowd. 

"  Name  thy  wants,  that  we  may  know  them." 

"  Highness !  deign  to  look  at  this !" 

One  bolder  than  the  rest  had  turned  the  body  of 
Antonio  to  the  moon,  in  a  manner  to  expose  the 
ghastly  features,  and,  as  he  spoke,  he  pointed  to 
wards  the  spectacle  he  had  prepared.  The  prince 
started  at  the  unexpected  sight,  and,  slowly  de 
scending  the  steps,  closely  accompanied  by  his  com 
panions  and  his  guards,  he  paused  over  the  body. 

"  Has  the  assassin  done  this  ?"  he  asked,  after 
looking  at  the  dead  fisherman,  and  crossing  himself. 
"  What  could  the  end  of  one  like  this  profit  a  Bravo  ? 
— haply  the  unfortunate  man  hath  fallen  in  a  broil 
of  his  class?" 

"  Neither,  illustrious  doge !  we  fear  that  Antonio 
has  suffered  for  the  displeasure  of  St.  Mark!" 

"Antonio!  Is  this  the  hardy  fisherman  who 
would  have  taught  us  how  to  rule  in  the  state  re 
gatta!" 

"  Eccellenza,  it  is ;"  returned  the  simple  laborer 
of  the  Lagunes, — "  and  a  better  hand  with  a  net,  or 
a  truer  friend  in  need,  never  rowed  a  gondola,  to 
or  from  the  Lido.  Diavalo!  It  would  have  done 
your  highness  pleasure  to  have  seen  the  poor  old 
Christian  among  us,  on  a  saint's  day,  taking  the 
lead  in  our  little  ceremonies,  and  teaching  us  the 
manner  in  which  our  fathers  used  to  do  credit  to 
the  craft!" 


THE  BRAVO.  345 

**  Or  to  have  been  with  us,  illustrious  doge,"  cried 
another,  for,  the  ice  once  broken,  the  tongues  of  a 
mob  soon  grow  bold,  "  in  a  merry-making,  on  the 
Lido,  when  old  Antonio  was  always  the  foremost  in 
the  laugh,  and  the  discreetest  in  knowing  when  to 
be  grave." 

The  doge  began  to  have  a  dawning  of  the  truth, 
and  he  cast  a  glance  aside  to  examine  the  counte 
nance  of  the  unknown  inquisitor. 

"  It  is  far  easier  to  understand  the  merits  of  the 
unfortunate  man,  than  the  manner  of  his  death,"  he 
said,  finding  no  explanation  in  the  drilled  members 
of  the  face  he  had  scrutinized.  "  Will  any  of  your 
party  explain  the  facts  ?" 

The  principal  speaker  among  the  fishermen  will 
ingly  took  on  himself  the  office,  and,  in  the  desulto 
ry  manner  of  one  of  his  habits,  he  acquainted  the 
doge  with  the  circumstances  connected  with  the 
finding  of  the  body.  When  he  had  done,  the  prince 
again  asked  explanations,  with  his  eye,  from  the  sen 
ator  at  his  side,  for  he  was  ignorant  whether  the 
policy  of  the  state  required  an  example,  or  simply  a 
death." 

"  I  see  nothing  in  this,  your  Highness,"  observed 
he  of  the  council,  "  but  the  chances  of  a  fisherman. 
The  unhappy  old  man  has  come  to  his  end  by  acci 
dent,  and  it  would  be  charity  to  have  a  few  masses 
said  for  his  soul." 

"  Noble  senator !"  exclaimed  the  fisherman,  doubt- 
\ngly,  "  St.  Mark  was  offended!" 

"  Rumor  tells  many  idle  tales  of  the  pleasure  and 
displeasure  of  St.  Mark.  If  we  are  to  believe  all 
that  the  wit  of  men  can  devise,  in  affairs  of  this  na 
ture,  the  criminals  are  not  drowned  in  the  Lagunes, 
but  in  the  Canale  Orfano." 

"  True,  eccellenza,  and  we  are  forbidden  to  cast 
our  nets  there,  on  pain  of  sleeping  with  the  eels  at 
'ts  bottom." 


346  THE   BRAVO. 

"  So  much  greater  reason  for  believing  that  this 
old  man  hath  died  by  accident.  Is  there  mark  of 
violence  on  his  body  ? — for  though  the  state  could 
scarcely  occupy  itself  with  such  as  he,  some  other 
might.  Hath  the  condition  of  the  body  been  looked 
to?" 

"  Eccellenza,  it  was  enough  to  cast  one  of  his 
years  into  the  centre  of  the  Lagunes.  The  stoutest 
arm  in  Venice  could  not  save  him." 

"  There  may  have  been  violence  in  some  quarrel, 
and  the  proper  authority  should  be  vigilant.  Here 
is  a  Carmelite ! — Father,  do  you  know  aught  of 
this?" 

The  monk  endeavored  to  answer,  but  his  voice 
failed.  He  stared  wildly  about  him,  for  the  whole 
scene  resembled  some  frightful  picture  of  the  imagi 
nation,  and  then  folding  his  arms  on  his  bosom,  he 
appeared  to  resume  his  prayers. 

"Thou  dost  not  answer,  Friar?"  observed  the 
doge,  who  had  been  as  effectually  deceived,  by  the 
natural  and  indifferent  manner  of  the  inquisitor,  as 
any  other  of  his  auditors.  "  Where  didst  thou  find 
this  body?" 

Father  Anselmo  briefly  explained  the  manner  in 
which  he  had  been  pressed  into  the  service  of  the 
fishermen. 

At  the  elbow  of  the  prince  there  stood  a  young 
patrician,  who,  at  the  moment,  filled  no  other  office 
in  the  state,  than  such  as  belonged  to  his  birth.  De 
ceived,  like  the  others,  by  the  manner  of  the  only 
one  who  knew  the  real  cause  of  Antonio's  death,  he 
felt  a  humane  and  praiseworthy  desire  to  make  sure 
that  no  foul  play  had  been  exercised  towards  the 
victim. 

"  I  have  heard  of  this  Antonio,"  said  this  person, 
who  was  called  the  Senator  Soranzo,  and  who  was 
gifted  by  nature  with  feelings  that,  in  any  other 
form  of  government,  would  have  made  him  a  phi- 


THE  BRAVO.  347 

lanihropist, — "  and  of  his  success  in  the  regatta. 
Was  it  not  said  that  Jacopo,  the  Bravo,  was  his 
competitor  ? " 

A  low,  meaning,  and  common  murmur  ran  through 
the  throng. 

"  A  man  of  his  reputed  passions  and  ferocity 
may  well  have  sought  to  revenge  defeat,  by  vio 
lence!" 

A  second,  and  a  louder  murmur  denoted  the  effect 
this  suggestion  had  produced. 

"  Eccellenza,  Jacopo  deals  in  the  stiletto!"  ob 
served  the  half-credulous  but  still  doubting  fisher 
man. 

"  That  is  as  may  be  necessary.  A  man  of  his  art 
and  character  may  have  recourse  to  other  means  to 
gratify  his  malice.  Do  you  not  agree  with  me,  Sig- 
nore?" 

1  hx.  feenator  Soranzo  put  this  question,  m  perfect 
good  faith,  to  the  unknown  member  of  the  secret 
council.  The  latter  appeared  struck  with  the  prob 
ability  of  the  truth  of  his  companion's  conjecture, 
but  contented  himself,  with  a  simple  acknowledg 
ment  to  that  effect,  by  bowing. 

"Jacopo! — Jacopo!"  hoarsely  repeated  voice 
after  voice  in  the  crowd — "  Jacopo  has  done  this ! 
The  best  gondolier  in  Venice  has  been  beaten  by  an 
old  fisherman,  and  nothing  but  blood  could  wipe  out 
the  disgrace ! " 

"  It  shall  be  inquired  into,  my  children,  and 
strict  justice  done,"  said  the  doge,  preparing  to  de 
part.  "  Officers,  give  money  for  masses,  that  the  soul 
of  the  unhappy  man  be  not  the  sufferer.  Reverend 
Carmelite,  I  commend  the  body  to  thy  care,  and 
thou  canst  do  no  better  service  than  to  pass  the 
night  in  prayer,  by  its  side." 

A  thousand  caps  were  waved  in  commendation 
of  this  gracious  command,  and  the  whole  throng 
stood  in  silent  respect,  as  the  prince,  followed  by  his 


348  THE  BRAVO. 

retinue,  retired  as  he  had  approached,  through  ihe 
long,  vaulted,  gallery  above. 

A  secret  order  of  the  Inquisition  prevented  the 
appearance  of  the  Dalmatians. 

A  few  minutes  later  and  all  was  prepared.  A 
bier  and  canopy  were  brought  out  of  the  adjoining 
cathedral,  and  the  corpse  was  placed  upon  the 
former.  Father  Anselmo  then  headed  the  proces 
sion,  which  passed  through  the  principal  gate  of  the 
palace  into  the  square,  chanting  the  usual  service. 
The  Piazzetta  and  the  piazza  were  still  empty. 
Here  and  there,  indeed,  a  curious  face,  belonging  to 
some  agent  of  the  police,  or  to  some  observer  more 
firm  than  common,  looked  out  from  beneath  the 
arches  of  the  porticoes  on  the  movements  of  the 
mob,  though  none  ventured  to  come  within  its  in 
fluence. 

But  the  fishermen  were  no  longer  bent  on  vio 
lence.  With  the  fickleness  of  men  little  influenced 
by  reflection,  and  subject  to  sudden  and  violent 
emotions,  a  temperament  which,  the  effect  of  a 
selfish  system,  is  commonly  tortured  into  the  rea 
son  why  it  should  never  be  improved,  they  had 
abandoned  all  idea  of  revenge  on  the  agents  of  the 
police,  and  had  turned  their  thoughts  to  the  reli 
gious  services,  which,  being  commanded  by  the 
prince  himself,  were  so  flattering  to  their  class. 

It  is  true  that  a  few  of  the  sterner  natures,  among 
»«iem,  mingled  menaces  against  the  Bravo,  with 
their  prayers  for  the  dead,  but  these  had  no  other 
effect  on  the  matter  in  hand,  than  is  commonly  pro 
duced  by  the  by-players  on  the  principal  action  of 
the  piece. 

The  great  portal  of  the  venerable  enurch  was 
thrown  open,  and  the  solemn  chant  was  heard  issu 
ing,  in  responses,  from  among  the  quaint  columns 
and  vaulted  roofs  within.  The  body  of  the  lowly 
and  sacrificed  Antonio  was  borne  beneath  that  arch 


THE    BRAVO.  349 

which  sustains  the  precious  relics  of  Grecian  art, 
and  deposited  in  the  nave.  Candles  glimmered  be 
fore  the  altar  and  around  the  ghastly  person  of  the 
dead,  throughout  the  night;  and  the  cathedral  of 
St.  Mark  was  pregnant  with  all  the  imposing  cere 
monials  of  the  Catholic  ritual,  until  the  day  once 
more  appeared. 

Priest  succeeded  priest,  in  repeating  the  masses, 
while  the  attentive  throng  listened,  as  if  each  of  its. 
members  felt  that  his  own  honor  and  importance 
were  elevated  by  this  concession  to  one  of  their 
number.  In  the  square  the  maskers  gradually  re 
appeared,  though  the  alarm  had  been  too  sudden 
and  violent,  to  admit  a  speedy  return  to  the  levity 
which  ordinarily  was  witnessed  in  that  spot,  be 
tween  the  setting  and  the  rising  of  the  sun. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

'Tis  of  a  lady  in  her  earliest  youth, 
The  very  last  of  that  illustrious  race. 

Rogers. 

WHEN  the  fishermen  landed  on  the  quay,  they  ae- 
serted  the  gondola  of  the  state  to  a  man.  Donna 
Violetta  and  her  governess  heard  the  tumultuous 
departure  of  their  singular  captors  with  alarm,  for 
they  were  nearly  in  entire  ignorance  of  the  motive 
which  had  deprived  them  of  the  protection  of  father 
Anselmo,  and  which  had  so  unexpectedly  made 
them  actors  in  the  extraordinary  scene.  The 
monk  had  simply  explained  that  his  offices  were 
required  in  behalf  of  the  dead,  but  the  apprehen 
sion  of  exciting  unnecessary  terror  prevented  him 
from  adding  that  they  were  in  the  power  of  a  mob 
2  G 


350  THE    BRAVO. 

Donna  Florinda,  however,  had  ascertained  suffi 
cient,  by  looking  from  the  windows  of  the  canopy 
and  from  the  cries  of  those  around  her,  to  get  a 
glimmering  of  the  truth.  Under  the  circumstances, 
she  saw  that  the  most  prudent  course  was  to  keep 
themselves  as  much  as  possible  from  observation. 
But  when  the  profound  stillness  that  succeeded  the 
landing  of  the  rioters  announced  that  they  were 
alone,  both  she  and  her  charge  had  an  intuitive  per 
ception  of  the  favorable  chance,  which  fortune  had 
so  strangely  thrown  in  their  way. 

"They  are  gone!"  whispered  Donna  Florinda, 
holding  her  breath  in  attention,  as  soon  as  she  had 
spoken. 

"  And  the  police  will  be  soon  here  to  seek  us ! " 

No  further  explanation  passed,  for  Venice  was  a 
town  in  which  even  the  young  and  innocent  were 
taught  caution.  Donna  Florinda  stole  another  look 
without. 

"  They  have  disappeared,  Heaven  knows  where ! 
Let  us  go!" 

In  an  instant  the  trembling  fugitives  were  on  the 
quay.  The  Fiazzetta  was  without  a  human  form, 
except  their  own.  A  low,,  murmuring,  sound  arose 
from  the  court  palace,  which  resembled  the  hum  of 
a  disturbed  hive ;  but  nothing  was  distinct  or  intel 
ligible. 

"  There  is  violence  meditated,"  again  whispered 
the  governess ;  "  would  to  God  that  father  Anselmo 
were  here!" 

A  shuffling  footstep  caught  their  ears,  and  both 
turned  towards  a  boy,  in  the  dress  of  one  of  the 
Lagunes,  who  approached  from  the  direction  of  the 
Broglio. 

"  A  reverend  Carmelite  bid  me  give  you  this,'' 
said  the  youth,  stealing  a  glance  behind  him,  like 
one  who  dreaded  detection.  Then  putting  a  small 
piece  of  paper  in  the  hand  of  Donna  Florinda.  he 


THE  BRAVO.  351 

turned  his  own  swarthy  palm,  in  which  a  small 
silver  coin  glittered,  to  the  moon,  and  vanished. 

By  the  aid  of  the  same  light  the  governess  suc 
ceeded  in  tracing  pencil-marks,  in  a  hand  that  had 
been  well  known  to  her  younger  days. 

"  Save  thyself,  Florinda — There  is  not  an  instant 
to  lose.  Avoid  public  places,  and  seek  a  shelter 
quickly." 

"But  whither?"  asked  the  bewildered  woman, 
when  she  had  read  aloud  the  scroll. 

"  Anywhere  but  here,"  rejoined  Donna  Violetta ; 
"  follow  me." 

Nature  frequently  more  than  supplies  the  advan 
tages  of  training  and  experience,  by  her  own  gifts. 
Had  Donna  Florinda  been  possessed  of  the  natural 
decision  and  firmness  of  her  pupil,  she  would  not  now 
have  been  existing  in  the  isofeted  condition  which  is 
so  little  congenial  to  female  habits,  nor  would  father 
Anselmo  have  been  a  monk.  Both  had  sacrificed 
inclination  to  what  they  considered  to  be  duty,  and  if 
the  ungenial  life  of  the  governess  was  owing  to  the 
tranquil  course  of  her  ordinary  feelings,  it  is  proba 
ble  that  its  impunity  was  to  be  ascribed  to  the  same 
respectable  cause.  Not  so  with  Violetta.  She  was 
ever  more  ready  to  act  than  to  reflect,  and  though, 
in  general,  the  advantage  might  possibly  be  with 
those  of  a  more  regulated  temperament,  there  are 
occasions  that  form  exceptions  to  the  rule.  The 
present  moment  was  one  of  those  turns  in  the 
chances  of  life,  when  it  is  always  better  to  do  any 
thing  than  to  do  nothing. 

Donna  Violetta  had  scarcely  spoken,  before  her 
person  was  shadowed  beneath  the  arches  of  the 
Broglio.  Her  governess  clung  to  her  side,  more  in 
affection  than  in  compliance  with  the  warning  of  the 
monk,  or  with  the  dictates  of  her  own  reason.  A 
vague  and  romantic  intention  of  throwing  herself  at 
the  feet  of  the  doge,  who  was  a  collateral  descend 


352  THE    BRAVO. 

ant  of  her  own  ancient  house,  had  flashed  across 
the  mind  of  the  youthful  bride,  when  she  first  fled ; 
out  no  sooner  had  they  reached  the  palace,  than  a 
cry  from  the  court  acquainted  them  with  its  situa 
tion,  and  consequently  with  the  impossibility  of  pen 
etrating  to  the  interior. 

"  Let  us  retire,  by  the  streets,  to  thy  dwelling,  my 
child,"  said  Donna  Florinda,  drawing  her  mantle 
about  her  in  womanly  dignity.  "  None  will  offend 
females  of  our  condition ;  even  the  senate  must,  in 
the  end,  respect  our  sex." 

"  This  from  thee,  Florinda ! — Thou,  who  hast  so 
often  trembled  for  their  anger !  But  go,  if  thou  wilt — 
I  am  no  longer  the  senate's. — Don  Camillo  Monforte 
has  my  duty." 

Donna  Florinda  had  no  intention  of  disputing  this 
point,  and  as  the  moment  had  now  arrived  when  the 
most  energetic  was  likely  to  lead,  she  quietly  sub 
mitted  herself  to  the  superior  decision  of  her 'pupil. 
The  latter  took  the  way  along  the  portico,  keeping 
always  within  its  shadows.  In  passing  the  gateway, 
which  opened  towards  the  sea,  the  fugitives  had  a 
glimpse  of  what  was  passing  in  the  court.  The 
sight  quickened  their  steps,  and  they  now  flew,  rather 
than  ran,  along  the  arched  passage.  In  a  minute 
they  were  on  the  bridge,  which  crosses  the  canal  of 
St.  Mark,  still  flying  with  all  their  force.  A  few 
mariners  were  looking  from  their  feluccas  and  gaz 
ing  in  curiosity,  but  the  sight  of  two  terrified  females, 
seeking  refuge  from  a  mob,  had  nothing  in  itself 
iikely  to  attract  notice. 

At  this  moment,  a  dark  mass  of  human  bodies 
appeared  advancing  along  the  quay  in  the  opposite 
direction.  Arms  glittered  in  the  moon-beams,  and 
the  measured  tread  of  trained  men  became  audible, 
The  Dalmatians  were  moving  down  from  the  arsenal 
in  a  body.  Advance  and  retreat  now  seemed  equally 
impossible  to  the  breathless  fugitives.  As  decision 


THE    BRAVO.  353 

and  self-possession  are  very  different  qualities,  Donna 
Violetta  did  not  understand  so  readily  as  the  cir 
cumstances  required,  that  it  was  more  than  probable 
the  hirelings  of  the  republic  would  consider  the  flight 
perfectly  natural,  as  it  had  appeared  to  the  curious 
gazers  of  the  port. 

Terror  made  them  blind,  and  as  shelter  was  now 
the  sole  object  of  the  fugitives,  they  would  probably 
have  sought  it  in  the  chamber  of  doom,  itself,  had 
there  been  an  opportunity.  As  it  was,  they  turned 
and  entered  the  first,  arid  indeed  the  only,  gate  which 
offered.  They  were  met  by  a  girl,  whose  anxious 
face  betrayed  that  singular  compound  of  self-devotion 
and  terror,  which  probably  has  its  rise  in  the  instinct 
of  feminine  sympathies. 

"  Here  is  safety,  noble  ladies,"  said  the  youthful 
Venetian,  in  the  soft  accent  of  her  native  islands ; 
"  none  will  dare  do  you  harm  within  these  walls." 

"Into  whose  palace  have  I  entered  1"  demanded 
the  half-breathless  Violetta.  "If  its  owner  has  a 
name  in  Venice,  he  will  not  refuse  hospitality  to  a 
iaughter  of  Tiepolo." 

"  Signora,  you  are  welcome,"  returned  the  gentle 
girl,  curtsying  low,  and  still  leading  the  way  deeper 
within  the  vast  edifice.  "  You  bear  the  name  of  an 
illustrious  house !" 

"  There  are  few  in  the  republic  of  note,  from 
whom  I  may  not  claim,  either  the  kindness  of  ancient 
and  near  services,  or  that  of  kindred.  Dost  thou 
serve  a  noble  master?" 

"  The  first  in  Venice,  lady." 

"  Name  him,  that  we  may  demand  his  hospitality 
as  befits  us." 

"  Saint  Mark." 

Donna  Violetta  and  her  governess  stopped  short. 

"  Have  we  unconsciously  entered  a  portal  of  the 
palace?" 

"  That  were  impossible,  lady,  since  the  canal  lies 
2G2 


354  THE   BRAVO. 

between  you  and  the  residence  of  the  doge.  Still  is 
St.  Mark  master  here.  I  hope  you  will  not  esteem 
your  safety  less,  because  it  has  been  obtained  in 
the  public  prison,  and  by  the  aid  of  its  keeper's 
daughter." 

The  moment  for  headlong  decision  was  passed, 
and  that  of  reflection  had  returned. 

"How  art  thou  called,  child?"  asked  Donna  Flo- 
rinda,  moving  ahead  of  her  pupil  and  taking  the 
discourse  up,  where  in  wonder  the  other  had  per 
mitted  it  to  pause.  "  We  are  truly  grateful  for  the 
readiness  with  which  thou  threw  open  the  gate  for 
our  admission,  in  a  moment  of  such  alarm — How 
art  thou  called?" 

"  Gelsomina,"  answered  the  modest  girl.  "  I  am 
the  keeper's  only  child — and  when  I  saw  ladies  of 
your  honorable  condition,  fleeing  on  the  quay,  with 
the  Dalmatians  marching  on  one  side,  and  a  mob 
shouting  on  the  other,  I  bethought  me  that  even  a 
prison  might  be  welcome." 

"  Thy  goodness  of  heart  did  not  mislead  thee." 

"  Had  I  known  it  was  a  lady  of  the  Tiepolo,  I 
should  have  been  even  more  ready;  for  there  are 
few  of  that  great  name  now  left  to  do  us  honor." 

Violetta  curtsied  to  the  compliment,  but  she 
seemed  uneasy  that  haste  and  pride  of  rank  had  led 
her,  so  indiscreetly,  to  betray  herself. 

"  Canst  thou  not  lead  us  to  some  place  less  public?" 
she  asked,  observing  that  her  conductor  had  stopped 
in  a  public  corridor  to  make  this  explanation. 

"  Here  you  will  be  retired  as  in  your  own  palaces, 
great  ladies ;"  answered  Gelsomina,  turning  into  a 
private  passage,  and  leading  the  way  towards  the 
rooms  of  her  family,  from  a  window  of  which  she 
had  first  witnessed  the  embarrassment  of  her  guests. 
"  None  enter  here,  without  cause,  but  my  father  and 
myself;  and  my  father  is  much  occupied  with  his 
charge." 


THE   BRAVO.  355 

"  Hast  thou  no  domestic  ?" 

"  None,  lady.  A  prison-keeper's  daughter  should 
not  be  too  proud  to  serve  herself." 

"  Thou  sayest  well.  One  of  thy  discretion,  good 
Gelsomina,  must  know  it  is  not  seemly  for  females 
of  condition  to  be  thrown  within  walls  like  these, 
even  by  accident,  and  thou  wilt  do  us  much  favor, 
by  taking  more  than  common  means,  to  be  certain 
that  we  are  unseen.  We  give  thee  much  trouble, 
but  it  shall  not  go  unrequited.  Here  is  gold." 

Gelsomina  did  not  answer,  but  as  she  stood  with 
her  eyes  cast  to  the  floor,  the  color  stole  to  her 
cheeks,  until  her  usually  bloodless  face  was  in  a  soft 
glow. 

"  Nay,  I  have  mistaken  thy  character !"  said  Don 
na  Florinda,  secreting  the  sequins,  and  taking  the 
unresisting  hand  of  the  silent  girl.  "If  I  have 
pained  thee,  by  my  indiscretion,  attribute  the  offer 
to  our  dread  of  the  disgrace  of  being  seen  in  this 
place." 

The  glow  deepened,  and  the  lips  of  the  girl 
quivered. 

"  Is  it  then  a  disgrace  to  be  innocently  within  these 
walls,  lady?"  she  asked,  still  with  an  averted  eye. 
"  I  have  long  suspected  this,  but  none  has  ever  before 
said  it,  in  my  hearing ! " 

"  Holy  Maria  pardon  me  !  If  I  have  uttered  a 
syllable  to  pain  thee,  excellent  girl,  it  has  been  un 
wittingly  and  without  intention !" 

"  We  are  poor,  lady,  and  the  needy  must  submit 
to  do  that  which  their  wishes  might  lead  them  to 
avoid.  I  understand  your  feelings,  and  will  make 
sure  of  your  being  secret,  and  Blessed  Maria  will 
pardon  a  greater  sin,  than  any  you  have  committed 
here." 

While  the  ladies  were  wondering,  at  witnessing 
such  proofs  of  delicacy  and  feeling  in  so  singular  a 
place,  the  girl  withdrew. 


356  THE  BRAVO. 

"  I  had  not  expected  this  in  a  prison !"  exclaimed 
Violetta. 

"  As  all  is  not  noble,  or  just,  in  a  palace,  neither 
Is  all  to  be  condemned  unheard,  that  we  find  in  a 
prison.  But  this  is,  in  sooth,  an  extraordinary  girl 
for  her  condition,  and  we  are  indebted  to  blessed 
St.  Theodore,  (crossing  herself,)  for  putting  her  in 
our  way." 

"  Can  we  do  better  than  by  making  her  a  confidant 
and  a  friend  ? " 

The  governess  was  older,  and  less  disposed  than 
her  pupil,  to  confide  in  appearances.  But  the  more 
ardent  mind  and  superior  rank  of  the  latter  had 
given  her  an  influence,  that  the  former  did  not  al 
ways  successfully  resist.  Gelsomina  returned  be 
fore  there  was  time  to  discuss  the  prudence  of  what 
Violetta  had  proposed. 

"Thou  hast  a  father,  Gelsomina?"  asked  the  Ve 
netian  heiress,  taking  the  hand  of  the  gentle  girl,  as 
she  put  her  question. 

"  Holy  Maria  be  praised  ! — I  have  still  that  hap 
piness." 

"  It  is  a  happiness — for  surely  a  father  would  not 
have  the  heart  to  sell  his  own  child  to  ambition  and 
mercenary  hopes !  And  thy  mother  ?" 

"  Has  long  been  bed-ridden,  lady.  I  believe  we 
should  not  have  been  here,  but  we  have  no  other 
place  so  suitable  for  her  sufferings,  as  this  jail." 

"  Gelsomina,  thou  art  happier  than  I,  even  in  thy 
prison.  I  am  fatherless — motherless — I  could  almost 
say,  friendless." 

"  And  this  from  a  lady  of  the  Tiepolo !" 

"  All  is  not  as  it  seems  in  this  evil  world,  kind 
Gelsomina.  We  have  had  many  doges,  but  we 
have  had  much  suffering.  Thou  mayest  have  heard 
that  the  house  of  which  I  come  is  reduced  to  a  sin 
gle,  youthful  girl  like  thyself,  who  has  been  left  in 
the  senate's  charge?" 


THE   BRAVO  357 

'  They  speak  little  of  these  matters,  lady,  in  Ven 
ice  ;  and,  of  all  here,  none  go  so  seldom  into  the 
square  as  I.  Still  have  I  heard  of  the  beauty  and 
riches  of  Donna  Violetta.  The  last  I  hope  is  true  ; 
the  first  I  now  see  is  so." 

The  daughter  of  Tiepolo  colored,  in  turn,  but  it 
was  not  in  resentment. 

"  They  have  spoken  in  too  much  kindness  for  an 
orphan,"  she  answered  ;  "  though  that  fatal  wealth 
is  perhaps  not  over-estimated.  Thou  knowest  that 
the  state  charges  itself  with  the  care  and  establish 
ment  of  all  noble  females,  whom  Providence  has 
left  fatherless?" 

"  Lady,  I  did  not.  It  is  kind  of  St.  Mark  to  do  it !" 

"  Thou  wilt  think  differently,  anon.  Thou  art 
young,  Gelsomina,  and  hast  passed  thy  time  in  pri 
vacy?' 

"  True  lady.  It  is  seldom  I  go  farther  than  my 
mother's  room,  or  the  cell  of  some  suffering  pris 
oner." 

Violetta  looked  towards  her  governess,  with  an 
expression  which  seemed  to  say,  that  she  anticipated 
her  appeal  would  be  made  in  vain,  to  one  so  little 
exposed  to  the  feelings  of  the  world. 

"  Thou  wilt  not  understand  then,  that  a  noble  fe 
male  may  have  little  inclination  to  comply  with  all 
the  senate's  wishes,  in  .disposing  of  her  duties  and 
affections?" 

Gelsomina  gazed  at  the  fair  speaker,  but  it  was 
evident  that  she  did  not  clearly  comprehend  the 
question.  Again  Violetta  looked  at  the  governess 
as  if  asking  aid. 

"  The  duties  of  our  sex  are  often  painful,"  said 
Donna  Florinda,  "  understanding  the  appeal  with 
female  instinct.  Our  attachments  may  not  always 
follow  the  wishes  of  our  friends.  We  may  not 
choose,  but  we  cannot  always  obey." 

"  I  have  heard  that  noble  ladies  are  not  suffered  to 


358  THE;  BRAVO. 

see  those  to  whom  they  are  to  be  wedded,  Signora, 
if  that  is  what  your  eccellenza  means,  and,  to  me, 
the  custom  has  always  seemed  unjust,  if  not  cruel." 

"  And  are  females  of  thy  class  permitted  to  make 
friends  among  those  who  may  become  dearer  at 
any  other  day?"  asked  Violetta. 

"  Lady,  we  have  that  much  freedom  even  in  the 
prisons." 

"  Then  art  thou  happier  than  those  of  the  palaces  ! 
I  will  trust  thee,  generous  girl,  for  thou  canst  not 
be  unfaithful  to  the  weakness  and  wrongs  of  thy 
sex." 

Gelsomina  raised  a  hand,  as  if  to  stop  the  impetu 
ous  confidence  of  her  guest,  and  then  she  listened 
intently. 

"  Few  enter,  here,"  she  said ;  "  but  there  are 
many  ways  of  learning  secrets  within  these  walls 
which  are  still  unknown  to  me.  Come  deeper  into 
the  rooms,  noble  ladies,  for  here  is  a  place  that  I 
have  reason  to  think  is  safe,  even  from  listeners." 

The  keeper's  daughter  led  the  way  into  the  little 
room,  in  which  she  was  accustomed  to  converse 
with  Jacopo. 

"  You  were  saying,  lady,  that  I  had  a  feeling  for 
the  weakness  and  helplessness  of  our  sex,  and 
surely  you  did  me  justice." 

Violetta  had  leisure  to  reflect  an  instant,  in  pass 
ing  from  one  room  to  the  other,  and  she  began  her 
communications  with  more  reserve.     But  the  sensi 
tive  interest  that  a  being  of  the  gentle  nature  ana 
secluded  habits  of  Gelsomina  took  in  her  narrative 
won  upon  her  own  natural  frankness,  and,  in  a 
manner  nearly  imperceptible  to  herself,  she  made 
the  keeper's  daughter  mistress  of  most  of  the  circum 
stances  under  which  she  had  entered  the  prison. 

The  cheek  of  Gelsomina  became  colorless  as 
she  listened,  and  when  Donna  Violetta  ceased, 
every  limb  of  her  slight  frame  trembled  with  interest. 


THE  BRAVO.  359 

" The  senate  is  a  fearful  power  to  resist!"  she 
said,  speaking  so  low  as  hardly  to  be  audible. 
"Have  you  reflected,  lady,  on  the  chances  of  what 
you  do?" 

"  If  I  have  not,  it  is  now  too  late  to  change  my 
intentions.  I  am  the  wife  of  the  Duke  of  Sanf 
Agata,  and  can  never  wed  another." 

"  Gesu  ! — This  is  true. — And  yet,  methinks,  I 
would  choose  to  die  a  nun  rather  than  offend  the 
council ! " 

"  Thou  knowest  not,  good  girl,  to  what  courage 
the  heart  of  even  a  young  wife  is  equal. — Thou  art 
still  bound  to  thy  father,  in  the  instruction  and 
habits  of  childhood,  but  thou  mayest  live  to  know 
that  all  thy  hopes  will  centre  in  another." 

Gelsomina  ceased  to  tremble,  and  her  mild  eye 
brightened. 

"  The  council  is  terrible,"  she  answered,  "  but  it 
must  be  more  terrible  to  desert  one  to  whom  you 
have  vowed  duty  and  love  at  the  altar!" 

"Hast  thou  the  means  of  concealing  us,  kind 
girl,"  interrupted  Donna  Florinda,  "  and  canst  thou, 
when  this  tumult  shall  be  quieted,  in  any  manner 
help  us  to  farther  secrecy  or  flight  ?" 

"Lady,  I  have  none.  Even  the  streets  and 
squares  of  Venice  are  nearly  strangers  to  me.  San- 
tissima  Maria!  what  would  1  give  to  know  the 
ways  of  the  town  as  well  as  my  cousin  Annina, 
who  passes,  at  will,  from  her  father's  shop  to  the 
Lido,  and  from  St.  Mark's  to  the  Rialto,  as  her 
pleasure  suits.  I  wrill  send  for  my  cousin,  who  will 
counsel  us  in  this  fearful  strait ! " 

"  Thy  cousin ! — Hast  thou  a  cousin  named  An 
nina?" 

"  Lady,  Annina.     My  mother's  sister's  child." 

"  The  daughter  of  a  wine-seller  called  Tomaso 
Torti?" 

"  Do  the  noble  dames  of  the  city  take  such  heed 


360  THE    BRAVO. 

of  their  inferiors ! — This  will  charm  my  cousin,  for 
she  has  great  desires  to  be  noted  by  the  great." 

"  And  does  thy  cousin  come  hither  ?" 

"  Rarely,  lady — We  are  not  of  much  intimacy 
I  suppose  Annina  finds  a  girl,  simple  and  uninstruct- 
ed  as  I,  unworthy  of  her  company.  But  she  will 
not  refuse  to  aid  us,  in  a  danger  like  this.  I  know 
she  little  loves  the  republic,  for  we  have  had  words 
on  its  acts,  and  my  cousin  has  been  bolder  oi 
speech  about  them,  than  befits  one  of  her  years,  in 
this  prison." 

"  Gelsomina,  thy  cousin  is  a  secret  agent  of  the 
police,  and  unworthy  of  thy  confidence — " 

"Lady!" 

"  I  do  not  speak  without  reason.  Trust  me,  she 
is  employed  in  duties  that  are  unbecoming  her  sex, 
and  unworthy  of  thy  confidence." 

"  Noble  dames,  I  will  not  say  any  thing  to  do  dis 
pleasure  to  your  high  rank  and  present  distress,  but 
you  should  not  urge  me  to  think  thus  of  my  mo 
ther's  niece.  You  have  been  unhappy,  and  you 
may  have  cause  to  dislike  the  republic,  and  you  are 
safe  here — but  I  do  not  desire  to  hear  Annina  cen 
sured." 

Both  Donna  Florinda  and  her  less  experienced 
pupil  knew  enough  of  human  nature,  to  consider 
this  generous  incredulity  as  a  favorable  sign  of  the 
integrity  of  her  who  manifested  it,  and  they  wisely 
contented  themselves  with  stipulating  that  Annina 
should,  on  no  account,  be  made  acquainted  with 
their  situation.  After  this  understanding,  the  three 
discussed,  more  leisurely,  the  prospect  of  the  fugi 
tives  being  able  to  quit  the  place,  vhen  ready,  with 
out  detection. 

At  the  suggestion  of  the  governess,  a  servitor  of 
the  prison  was  sent  out  by  Gelsomina,  to  observe 
the  state  of  the  square.  He  \vcu  particularly 
charged,  though  in  a  manner  to  avoid  suspicion,  to 


THE    BRAVO.  361 

search  for  a  Carmelite  of  the  order  of  the  bare 
footed  friars.  On  his  return,  the  menial  reported 
that  the  mob  had  quitted  the  court  of  the  palace, 
and  was  gone  to  the  cathedral,  with  the  body  of 
the  fisherman  who  had  so  unexpectedly  gained  the 
prize  in  the  regatta  of  the  preceding  day.  . 

"  Repeat  your  aves  and  go  to  sleep,  Bella  Gelso- 
mina,"  concluded  the  sub-keeper,  "  for  the  fishermen 
have  left  off  shouting  to  say  their  prayers.  Per 
Diana!  The  bare-headed  and  bare-legged  rascals 
are  as  impudent  as  if  St.  Mark  were  their  inherit 
ance  !  The-  noble  patricians  should  give  them  a 
lesson  in  modesty,  by  sending  every  tenth  knave 
among  them  to  the  galleys.  Miscreants  !  to  disturb 
the  quiet  of  an  orderly  town  with  their  vulgar  com 
plaints!" 

"  But  thou  hast  said  nothing  of  the  friar ;  is  he 
with  the  rioters?" 

"  There  is  a  Carmelite  at  the  altar — but  my  blood 
boiled  at  seeing  such  vagabonds  disturb  the  peace 
of  respectable  persons,  and  I  took  little  note  of  his 
air  or  years." 

"  Then  thou  failedst  to  do  the  errand  on  which  I 
sent  thee.  It  is  now  too  late  to  repair  thy  fault. 
Thou  canst  return  to  thy  charge." 

"  A  million  pardons,  Bellissima  Gelsomina,  but  in 
dignation  is  the  uppermost  feeling,  when  one  in  office 
sees  his  rights  attacked  by  the  multitude.  Send  me 
to  Corfu,  or  to  Candia,  if  you  please,  and  I  will  bring 
back  the  color  of  every  stone  in  their  prisons,  but 
do  not  send  me  among  rebels.  My  gorge  rises  at 
the  sight  of  villany!" 

As  the  keeper's  daughter  withdrew,  while  her 
father's  assistant  was  making  this  protestation  of 
loyalty,  the  latter  was  compelled  to  give  vent  to  the 
rest  of  his  indignation  in  a  soliloquy. 

One  of  the  tendencies  of  oppression  is  to  create 
a  scale  of  tyranny,  descending  from  those  who  rule 
2H 


362  THE  BRAVO. 

a  state,  to  those  who  domineer  over  a  single  indi 
vidual.  He,  who  has  been  much  accustomed  to 
view  men,  need  not  be  told  that  none  are  so  arrogant 
with  their  inferiors,  as  those  who  are  oppressed  by 
their  superiors ;  for  poor  human  nature  has  a  secret 
longing  to  revenge  itself  on  the  weak  for  all  the  in 
juries  it  receives  from  the  strong.  On  the  other 
hand,  no  class  is  so  willing  to  render  that  deference 
when  unexacted,  which  is  the  proper  meed  of  virtue, 
and  experience,  and  intelligence,  as  he  who  knows 
that  he  is  fortified  on  every  side  against  innovations 
on  his  natural  rights.  Thus  it  is,  that  there  is  more 
security  against  popular  violence  and  popular  insults 
in  these  free  states,  than  in  any  other  country  on 
earth,  for  there  is  scarcely  a  citizen  so  debased  as 
not  to  feel  that,  in  assuming  the  appearance  of  a  wish 
to  revenge  the  chances  of  fortune,  he  is  making  an 
undue  admission  of  inferiority. 

Though  the  torrent  may  be  pent  and  dammed  by 
art,  it  is  with  the  constant  hazard  of  breaking  down 
the  unnatural  barriers ;  but  left  to  its  own  course,  it 
will  become  the  tranquil  and  the  deep  stream,  until 
it  finally  throws  off  its  superfluous  waters  into  the 
common  receptacle  of  the  ocean. 

When  Gelsomina  returned  to  her  visitors,  it  was 
with  a  report  favorable  to  their  tranquillity.  The 
riot  in  the  court  of  the  palace,  and  the  movement  of 
the  Dalmatians,  had  drawn  all  eyes  in  another  direc 
tion  ;  and  although  some  errant  gaze  might  have 
witnessed  their  entrance  into  the  gate  of  the  prison, 
it  was  so  natural  a  circumstance,  that  no  one  would 
suspect  females  of  their  appearance  of  remaining 
there  an  instant  longer  than  was  necessary.  The 
momentary  absence  of  the  few  servants  of  the  pris 
on,  who  took  little  heed  of  those  who  entered  the 
open  parts  of  the  building,  and  who  had  been  drawn 
away  by  curiosity,  completed  their  security.  The 
humble  room  they  were  in  wras  exclusively  devotee) 


THE    BRAVO.  363 

lo  the  use  of  their  gentle  protector,  and  there  was 
scarcely  a  possibility  of  interruption,  until  the  coun 
cil  had  obtained  the  leisure  and  the  means  of  making 
use  of  those  terrible  means,  which  rarely  left  any 
thing  it  wished  to  know  concealed. 

With  this  explanation  Donna  Violetta  and  her 
companion  were  greatly  satisfied.  It  left  them 
leisure  to  devise  means  for  their  flight,  and  kindled 
a  hope,  in  the  former,  of  being  speedily  restored  to 
Don  Camillo.  Still  there  existed  the  cruel  embar 
rassment  of  not  possessing  the  means  of  acquainting 
the  latter  with  their  situation.  As  the  tumult  ceased, 
they  resolved  to  seek  a  boat,  favored  by  such  dis 
guises  as  the  means  of  Gelsomina  could  supply,  and 
to  row  to  his  palace ;  but  reflection  convinced  Donna 
Florinda  of  the  danger  of  such  a  step,  since  the 
Neapolitan  was  known  to  be  surrounded  by  the 
agents  of  the  police.  Accident,  which  is  more  effec 
tual  than  stratagem  in  defeating  intrigues,  had 
thrown  them  into  a  place  of  momentary  security, 
and  it  would  be  to  lose  the  vantage-ground  of  their 
situation  to  cast  themselves,  without  the  utmost 
caution,  into  the  hazards  of  the  public  canals. 

At  length  the  governess  bethought  her  of  turning 
the  services  of  the  gentle  creature,  who  had  already 
shown  so  much  sympathy  in  their  behalf,  to  account 
During  the  revelations  of  her  pupil,  the  feminine 
instinct  of  Donna  Florinda  had  enabled  her  to  dis 
cover  the  secret  springs  which  moved  the  unprac 
tised  feelings  of  their  auditor.  Gelsomina  had  listen 
ed  to  the  manner  in  which  Don  Camillo  had  thrown 
nimself  into  the  canal  to  save  the  life  of  Violetta, 
with  breathless  admiration  ;  her  countenance  was  a 
pure  reflection  of  her  thoughts,  when  the  daughter 
of  Tiepolo  spoke  of  the  risks  he  had  run  to  gain  her 
love,  and  woman  glowed  in  every  lineament  of  her 
mild  face,  when  the  youthful  bride  touched  on  the 
nature  of  the  engrossing  tie  which  had  united  them, 


364  THE  BRAVO. 

and  which  was  far  too  holy  to  be  severed  by  the 
senate's  policy. 

"  If  we  had  the  means  of  getting  our  situation 
to  the  ears  of  Don  Camillo,"  said  the  governess,  "  all 
might  yet  be  saved ;  else  will  this  happy  refuge  in 
the  prison  avail  us  nothing." 

"  Is  the  cavalier  of  too  stout  a  heart  to  shrink  be 
fore  those  up  above?"  demanded  Gelsomina. 

"  He  would  summon  the  people  of  his  confidence 
and  ere  the  dawn  of  day  we  might  still  be  beyond 
their  power.  Those  calculating  senators  will  deal 
with  the  vows  of  my  pupil,  as  if  they  were  childish 
oaths,  and  set  the  anger  of  the  Holy  See  itself  at 
defiance,  when  there  is  question  of  their  interest." 

"  But  the  sacrament  of  marriage  is  not  of  man ; 
that,  at  least,  they  will  respect!" 

"  Believe  it  not.  There  is  no  obligation  so  solemn 
as  to  be  respected,  when  their  policy  is  concerned. 
What  are  the  wishes  of  a  girl,  or  what  the  happi 
ness  of  a  solitary  and  helpless  female,  to  their  for 
tunes  1  That  my  charge  is  young,  is  a  reason  why 
their  wisdom  should  interfere,  though  it  is  none  to 
touch  their  hearts  with  the  reflection  that  the  misery 
to  which  they  would  condemn  her,  is  to  last  the 
longer.  They  take  no  account  of  the  solemn  obli 
gations  of  gratitude;  the  ties  of  affection  are  so 
many  means  of  working  upon  the  fears  of  those 
they  rule,  but  none  for  forbearance :  and  they  laugh 
at  the  devotedness  of  woman's  love,  as  a  folly  to 
amuse  their  leisure,  or  to  take  off'  the  edge  of  disap 
pointment  in  graver  concerns." 

"  Can  any  thing  be  more  grave  than  wedlock, 
lady]" 

"  To  them  it  is  important,  as  it  furnishes  the 
means  of  perpetuating  their  honors  and  their  proud 
names.  Beyond  this,  the  councils  look  little  at  do 
mestic  interests." 

"  They  are  fathers  and  husbands ! " 


THE    BIIAVO.  365 

"  True,  for  to  be  legally  the  first,  they  must  be 
come  the  last.  Marriage  to  them  is  not  a  tie  of 
sacred  and  dear  affinity,  but  the  means  of  increas 
ing  their  riches  and  of  sustaining  their  names;" 
continued  the  governess,  watching  the  effect  of  her 
words  on  the  countenance  of  the  guileless  girl. 
"  They  call  marriages  of  affection  children's  games, 
and  they  deal  with  the  wishes  of  their  own  daugh 
ters,  as  they  would  traffic  with  their  commodities 
of  commerce.  When  a  state  sets  up  an  idol  of 
gold  as  its  god,  few  will  refuse  to  sacrifice  at  its 
altar!" 

"  I  would  I  might  serve  the  noble  Dorma  Vio- 
letta!" 

"  Thou  art  too  young,  good  Gelsomina,  and  I  fear 
too  little  practised  in  the  cunning  of  Venice." 

"  Doubt  me  not,  lady ;  for  I  can  do  my  duty  like 
*  another,  in  a  good  cause." 

"  If  it  were  possible  to  convey  to  Don  Camillo 
Monforte  a  knowledge  of  our  situation — but  thou  art 
too  inexperienced  for  the  service !" 

"  Believe  it  not,  Signora,"  interrupted  the  generous 
Gelsomina,  whose  pride  began  to  stimulate  her  natu 
ral  sympathies  with  one  so  near  her  own  age,  and 
one  too,  like  herself,  subject  to  that  passion  which 
engrosses  a  female  heart.  "  I  may  be  aptei  than 
my  appearance  would  give  reason  to  think." 

"  I  will  trust  thee,  kind  girl,  and  if  the  Sainted 
Virgin  protects  us,  thy  fortunes  shall  not  be  for 
gotten!" 

The  pious  Gelsomina  crossed  herself,  and,  first 
acquainting  her  companions  with  her  intentions,  she 
went  within  to  prepare  herself,  while  Donna  Florin- 
da  penned  a  note,  in  terms  so  guarded  as  to  defy 
detection  in  the  event  of  accident,  but  which  might 
suffice  to  let  the  lord  of  St.  Agata  understand  their 
present  situation. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  keeper's  daughter  reappear 
2H2 


366  THE    BRAVO. 

ed.  Her  ordinary  attire,  which  -was  that  of  a 
modest  Venetian  maiden  of  humble  condition,  need 
ed  no  concealment;  and  the  mask,  an  article  of 
dress  which  none  in  that  city  were  without,  effec 
tually  disguised  her  features.  She  then  received  the 
note,  with  the  name  of  the  street,  and  the  palace 
she  was  to  seek,  a  description  of  the  person  of  the 
Neapolitan,  with  often-repeated  cautions  to  be  wary 
and  departed. 


CHAPTER  XXY. 

"  Which  is  the  wiser  here ? — Justice  or  iniquity?"  .« 

Measure  for  Measure. 

IN  the  constant  struggle  between  the  innocent  and 
the  artful,  the  latter  have  the  advantage,  so  long  as 
they  confine  themselves  to  familiar  interests.  But 
the  moment  the  former  conquer  their  disgust  for  the 
study  of  vice,  and  throw  themselves  upon  the  pro 
tection  of  their  own  high  principles,  they  are  far 
more  effectually  concealed  from  the  calculations  of 
their  adversaries,  than  if  they  practised  the  most 
refined  of  their  subtle  expedients.  Nature  has  given 
to  every  man  enough  of  frailty  to  enable  him  to  es 
timate  the  workings  of  selfishness  and  fraud,  but  her 
truly  privileged  are  those  who  can  shroud  their  mo 
tives  and  intentions  in  a  degree  of  justice  and  dis 
interestedness,  which  surpass  the  calculations  of  the 
designing.  Millions  may  bow  to  the  commands  of 
a  conventional  right,  but  few,  indeed,  are  they  who 
know  how  to  choose  in  novel  and  difficult  cases. 
There  is  often  a  mystery  in  virtue.  While  the  cun 
ning  of  vice  is  no  more  than  a  pitiful  imitation  of 


THE    BRAVO.  367 

that  art,  which  endeavors  to  cloke  its  workings  in 
the  thin  veil  of  deception,  the  other,  in  some  degree, 
resembles  the  sublimity  of  infallible  truth. 

Thus  men,  too  much  practised  in  the  interests  of 
life,  constantly  overreach  themselves,  when  brougL 
in  contact  with  the  simple  and  intelligent ;  and  the 
experience  of  every  day  proves,  that,  as  there  is  no 
fame  permanent  *vhich  is  not  founded  on  virtue,  so 
there  is  no  policy  secure  which  is  not  bottomed  on 
the  good  of  the  whole.  Vulgar  minds  may  control 
the  concerns  of  a  community,  so  long  as  they  are 
limited  to  vulgar  views ;  but  woe  to  the  people 
who  confide,  on  great  emergencies,  in  any  but  the 
honest,  the  noble,  the  wise,  and  the  philanthropic ; 
for  there  is  no  security  for  success  when  the  mean 
ly  artful  control  the  occasional  and  providential 
events  which  regenerate  a  nation.  More  than  half 
the  misery  which  has  defeated,  as  well  as  disgraced, 
civilization,  proceeds  from  neglecting  to  use  those 
great  men  that  are  always  created  by  great  occa 
sions. 

Treating,  as  we  are,  of  the  vices  of  the  Venetian 
system,  our  pen  has  run  truant  with  its  subject, 
since  the  application  of  the  moral  must  be  made  on 
the  familiar  scale  suited  to  the  incidents  of  our  story. 
It  has  already  been  seen  that  Gelsomina  was  in 
trusted  with  certain  important  keys  of  the  prison. 
For  this  trust  there  had  been  sufficient  motive  with 
the  wily  guardians  of  the  jail,  who  had  made  their 
calculations  on  her  serving  their  particular  orders, 
without  ever  suspecting  that  she  was  capable  of  so 
far  listening  to  the  promptings  of  a  generous  tem 
per,  as  might  induce  her  to  use  them  in  any  manner 
prejudicial  to  their  own  views.  The  service  to 
which  they  were  now  to  be  applied,  proved  that  the 
keepers,  one  of  which  was  her  own  father,  had  not 
fully  known  how  to  estimate  the  powers  of  the  inno 
cent  and  simple. 


368  THE    BRAVO. 

Provided  with  the  keys,  in  question,  Gelsomina 
took  a  lamp,  and  passed  upward  from  the  mezzinino 
in  which  she  dwelt,  to  the  first  floor  of  the  edifice, 
instead  of  descending  to  its  court.  Door  was  open 
ed  after  door,  and  many  a  gloomy  corridor  was 
passed  b^  *he  gentle  girl,  with  the  confidence  of  one 
who  knew  her  motive  to  be  good.  She  soon  cross 
ed  the  Bridge  of  Sighs,  fearless  of  interruption  in  that 
unfrequented  gallery,  and  entered  the  palace.  Here 
she  made  her  way  to  a  door  that  opened  on  the 
common  and  public  vomitories  of  the  structure. 
Moving  with  sufficient  care  to  make  inpunity  from 
detection  sure,  she  extinguished  the  light,  and  ap 
plied  the  key.  At  the  next  instant  she  was  on  the 
vast  and  gloomy  stair-way.  It  required  but  a  mo 
ment  to  descend  it,  and  to  reach  the  covered  gallery 
which  surrounded  the  court.  A  halberdier  was 
within  a  few  feet  of  her.  He  looked  at  the  unknown 
female  with  interest ;  but  as  it  was  not  his  business 
to  question  those  who  issued  from  the  building,  no 
thing  was  said.  Gelsomina  walked  on.  A  half-re 
penting,  but  vindictive  being,  was  dropping  an  ac 
cusation  in  the  lion's  mouth.  Gelsomina  stopped 
involuntarily,  until  the  secret  accuser  had  done  his 
treacherous  work  and  departed.  Then,  when  she 
was  about  to  proceed,  she  saw  that  the  halberdier, 
at  the  head  of  the  Giant's  stairway,  was  smiling  at 
her  indecision,  like  one  accustomed  to  such  scenes. 

"Is  there  danger  in  quitting  the  palace'?"  she 
asked  of  the  rough  mountaineer. 

"  Corpo  di  Bacco  !  There  might  have  been,  an 
hour  since,  Bella  Donna ;  but  the  rioters  are  muz 
zled,  and  at  their  prayers  !" 

Gelsomina  hesitated  no  longer.  She  descended 
the  well-known  flight,  down  which  the  head  of  Fa- 
liero  had  rolled,  and  was  soon  beneath  the  arch  of 


the  gate.    Here  the  timid  and  unpractised  gi: 
stopped,  for  she  could  not  venture  into  the 


irl  again 
square 


THE    BRAVO.  369 

without  assuring  herself,  like  a  deer  about  to  quit  its 
cover,  of  the  tranquillity  of  the  place,  into  which  she 
was  to  enter. 

The  agents  of  the  police  had  been  too  much 
alarmed  by  the  rising  of  the  fishermen,  not  to  call 
their  usual  ingenuity  and  finesse  into  play,  the  mo 
ment  the  disturbance  was  appeased.  Money  had 
been  given  to  the  mountebanks  and  ballad-singers  to 
induce  them  to  reappear,  and  groups  of  hirelings, 
some  in  masks  and  others  without  concealment, 
were  ostentatiously  assembled  in  different  parts  of 
the  piazza.  In  short,  those  usual  expedients  were 
resorted  to,  which  are  constantly  used  to  restore  the 
confidence  of  a  people,  in  those  countries  in  which 
civilization  is  so  new,  that  they  are  not  yet  consid 
ered  sufficiently  advanced  to  be  the  guardians  of 
their  own  security.  There  are  few  artifices  so  shal 
low  that  many  will  not  be  their  dupes.  The  idler,  the 
curious,  the  really  discontented,  the  factious,  the  de 
signing,  with  a  suitable  mixture  of  the  unthinking 
and  of  those  who  only  live  for  the  pleasure  of  the 
passing  hour,  a  class  not  the  least  insignificant  for 
numbers,  had  lent  themselves  to  the  views  of  the  po 
lice  ;  and  when  Gelsomina  was  ready  to  enter  the 
Piazzetta,  she  found  both  the  squares  partially  filled. 
A  few  excited  fishermen  clustered  about  the  doors 
of  the  cathedral,  like  bees  swarming  before  their 
hive ;  but,  on  that  side,  there  was  no  very  visible 
cause  of  alarm.  Unaccustomed  as  she  was  to  scenes 
like  that  before  her,  the  first  glance  assured  the  gen 
tle  girl  of  the  real  privacy  which  so  singularly  dis 
tinguishes  the  solitude  of  a  crowd.  Gathering  her 
simple  mantle  more  closely  about  her  form,  and  set 
tling  her  mask  with  care,  she  moved  with  a  swift 
step  into  the  centre  of  the  piazza. 

We  shall  not  detail  the  progress  of  our  heroine, 
as,  avoiding  the  commonplace  gallantry  that  assail 
ed  and  offended  her  ear,  she  went  her  way,  on  hei 


370  THE    BRAVO. 

errand  of  kindness.  Young,  active,  and  impelled  by 
her  intentions,  the  square  was  soon  passed,  and  she 
reached  the  place  of  San  Nico.  Here  was  one  of 
the  landings  of  the  public  gondolas.  But,  at  the  mo 
ment,  there  was  no  boat  in  waiting,  for  curiosity  or 
fear  had  induced  the  men  to  quit  their  usual  stand. 
Gelsomina  had  ascended  the  bridge,  and  was  on  the 
crown  of  its  arch,  when  a  gondolier  came  sweep 
ing  lazily  in  from  the  direction  of  the  Grand  Canal. 
Her  hesitation  and  doubting  manner  attracted  his 
attention,  and  the  man  made  the  customary  sign, 
which  conveyed  the  offer  of  his  services.  As  she 
was  nearly  a  stranger  to  the  streets  of  Venice,  laby 
rinths,  that  offer  greater  embarrassment  to  the  un 
initiated,  than  perhaps  the  passages  of  any  other 
town  of  its  size,  she  gladly  availed  herself  of  the 
offer.  To  descend  to  the  steps,  to  leap  into  the 
boat,  to  utter  the  word  "  Rialto,"  and  to  conceal 
herself  in  the  pavilion,  was  the  business  of  a  minute. 
The  boat  was  instantly  in  motion. 

Gelsomina  now  believed  herself  secure  of  effect 
ing  her  purpose,  since  there  was  little  to  apprehend 
from  the  knowledge,  or  the  designs,  of  a  common 
boatman.  He  could  not  know  her  object,  and  it 
was  his  interest  to  carry  her,  in  safety,  to  the  place 
she  had  commanded.  But  so  important  was  suc 
cess,  that  she  could  not  feel  secure  of  attaining  it, 
while  it  was  still  unaccomplished.  She  soon  sum 
moned  sufficient  resolution  to  look  out  at  the  palaces 
and  boats  they  were  passing,  and  she  felt  the  re 
freshing  air  of  the  canal  revive  her  courage.  Then 
turning,  with  sensitive  distrust,  to  examine  the 
countenance  of  the  gondolier,  she  saw  that  his  fea 
tures  were  concealed  beneath  a  mask  that  was  so 
well  designed,  as  not  to  be  perceptible  to  a  casual 
observer  by  moonlight. 

Though  it  was  common,  on  occasions,  for  the 
servants  of  the  great,  it  was  not  usual  for  the  public 


THE  BRAVO.  371 

gondoliers,  to  be  disguised.  The  circumstance  itself 
was  one  justly  to  excite  slight  apprehension,  though, 
on  second  thoughts,  Gelsomina  saw  no  more  in  it, 
than  a  return  from  some  expedition  of  pleasure,  or 
some  serenade,  perhaps,  in  which  the  caution  of  a 
lover  had  compelled  his  followers  to  resort  to  this 
species  of  concealment. 

"  Shall  I  put  you  on  the  public  quay,  Signora," 
demanded  the  gondolier,  "  or  shall  I  see  you  to  the 
gate  of  your  own  palace  1 " 

The  heart  of  Gelsomina  beat  high.  She  liked  the 
tone  of  the  voice,  though  it  was  necessarily  smoth 
ered  by  the  mask,  but  she  was  little  accustomed  to 
act  in  the  affairs  of  others,  and  less  still  in  any  of  so 
great  interest,  that  the  sounds  caused  her  to  tremble 
like  one  less  worthily  employed. 

"  Dost  thou  know  the  palace  of  a  certain  Don 
Camillo  Monforte,  a  lord  of  Calabria,  who  dwells, 
here,  in  Venice  ?"  she  asked,  after  a  moment's  pause. 
The  gondolier  sensibly  betrayed  surprise,  by  the 
manner  in  which  he  started  at  the  question. 

"Would  you  be  rowed  there,  lady?" 

"  If  thou  art  certain  of  knowing  the  palazzo." 

The  water  stirred,  and  the  gondola  glided  between 
high  walls.  Gelsomina  knew,  by  the  sound,  that  they 
were  in  one  of  the  smaller  canals,  and  she  augured 
well  of  the  boatman's  knowledge  of  the  town.  They 
soon  stopped  by  the  side  of  a  water-gate,  and  the 
man  appeared  on  the  step,  holding  an  arm,  to  aid 
her  in  ascending,  after  the  manner  of  people  of  his 
craft.  Gelsomina  bade  him  wait  her  return,  and 
proceeded. 

There  was  a  marked  derangement  in  the  house 
hold  of  Don  Camillo,  that  one  more  practised  than 
our  heroine  would  have  noted.  The  servants  seem 
ed  undecided,  in  the  manner  of  performing  the  most 
ordinary  duties;  their  looks  wandered  distrustfully 
from  one  to  the  other,  and  when  their  half-frightened 


372  THE    BRAVO. 

visitor  entered  the  vestibule,  though  all  arose,  none 
advanced  to  meet  her.  A  female  masked  was  not  a 
rare  sight,  in  Venice,  for  few  of  that  sex  went  upon 
the  canals,  without  using  the  customary  means  of 
concealment ;  but  it  would  seem,  by  their  hesitating 
manner,  that  the  menials  of  Don  Camillo  did  not 
view  the  entrance  of  her,  who  now  appeared,  with 
the  usual  indifference. 

"  I  am  in  the  dwelling  of  the  Duke  of  St.  Agata, 
a  Signore  of  Calabria?"  demanded  Gelsomina,  who 
saw  the  necessity  of  being  firm. 

"  Signora,  si " 

"  Is  your  lord  in  the  palace  ? " 

"  Signora,  he  is — and  he  is  not.  What  beautiful 
lady  shall  I  tell  him  does  him  this  honor  1 " 

"  If  he  be  not  at  home,  it  will  not  be  necessary  to 
tell  him  any  thing.  If  he  is,  I  could  wish  to  see  him." 

The  domestics,  of  whom  there  were  several,  put 
their  heads  together,  and  seemed  to  dispute  on  the 
propriety  of  receiving  the  visit.  At  this  instant,  a 
gondolier,  in  a  flowered  jacket,  entered  the  vestibule. 
Gelsomina  took  courage  at  his  good-natured  eye  and 
rrank  manner. 

"  Do  you  serve  Don  Camillo  Monforte?"  she  asked, 
as  he  passed  her,  on  his  way  to  the  canal. 

"With  the  oar,  Bellissima  Donna,"  answered 
Gino,  touching  his  cap,  though  scarce  looking  aside 
at  the  question. 

"And  could  he  be  told  that  a  female  wishes 
earnestly  to  speak  to  him  in  private  1 — A  female." 

"Santa  Maria!  Bella  Donna,  there  is  no  end  to 
females  who  come  on  these  errands,  in  Venice.  You 
might  better  pay  a  visit  to  the  statue  of  San  Teodore, 
in  the  piazza,  than  see  my  master  at  this  moment ; 
the  stone  will  give  you  the  better  reception." 

"  And  this  he  commands  you  to  tell  all  of  my  sex 
who  come!" 

"  Diavolo ! — Lady,  you  are   particular  in  your 


THE  BRAVO.  373 

questions.  Perhaps  my  master  might,  on  a  strait, 
receive  one  of  the  sex,  I  could  name,  but  on  the 
honor  of  a  gondolier  he  is  not  the  most  gallant 
cavalier  of  Venice,  just  at  this  moment." 

"  If  there  is  one  to  whom  he  would  pay  this  defer 
ence,  you  are  bold  for  a  servitor.  How  know  you 
I  am  not  that  one?" 

Gino  started.  He  examined  the  figure  of  the  ap 
plicant,  and  lifting  his  cap  he  bowed. 

"  Lady,  I  do  not  know  any  thing  about  it,"  he  said ; 
"  you  may  be  his  Highness  the  Doge,  or  the  ambas 
sador  of  the  emperor.  I  pretend  to  know  nothing 

in  Venice,  of  late " 

The  words  of  Gino  w^ere  cut  short  by  a  tap  on 
the  shoulder  from  the  public  gondolier,  who  had 
hastily  entered  the  vestibule.  The  man  whispered 
in  the  ear  of  Don  Camillo's  servitor. 

"  This  is  not  a  moment  to  refuse  any,"  he  said. — 
'<•  Let  the  stranger  go  up." 

Gino  hesitated  no  longer.  With  the  decision  of  a 
favored  menial  he  pushed  the  groom  of  the  cham 
bers  aside,  and  offered  to  conduct  Gelsomina,  him 
self,  to  the  presence  of  his  master.  As  they  ascended 
the  stairs,  three  of  the  inferior  servants  disappeared. 
The  palace  of  Don  CamiUo  had  an  air  of  more 
than  Venetian  gloom.  The  rooms  were  dimly 
lighted,  many  of  the  walls  had  been  stripped  of  the 
most  precious  of  their  pictures,  and,  in  other  re 
spects  a  jealous  eye  might  have  detected  evidence 
of  a  secret  intention,  on  the  part  of  its  owner,  not 
to  make  a  permanent  residence  of  the  dwelling. 
But  these  were  particulars  that  Gelsomina  did  not 
note,  as  she  followed  Gino  through  the  apartments, 
into  the  more  priva-te  parts  of  the  building.  Here 
the  gondolier  unlocked  a  door,  and  regarding  his 
companion  with  an  air,  half-doubting,  half-respect 
ful,  he  made  a  sign  for  her  to  enter. 

"  My  master  commonly  receives  the  ladies,  here/' 
2T 


374  THE  BRAVO. 

he  said.  "  Enter,  eccellenza,  while  I  run  to  tell  him 
of  his  happiness." 

Gelsomina  did  not  hesitate,  though  she  felt  a  vio 
lent  throb  at  the  heart,  when  she  heard  the  key 
turning  in  the  lock,  behind  her.  She  was  in  an  ante 
chamber,  and,  inferring  from  the  light  which  shone 
through  the  door  of  an  adjoining  room,  that  she 
was  to  proceed,  she  went  on.  No  sooner  had  she 
entered  the  little  closet,  than  she  found  herself  alone 
with  one  of  her  own  sex. 

"  Annina ! "  burst  from  the  lips  of  the  unpractised 
prison-girl,  under  the  impulse  of  surprise. 

"  Gelsomina ! — The  simple,  quiet,  whispering 
modest,  Gelsomina ! "  returned  the  other. 

The  words  of  Annina  admitted  but  of  one  con 
struction.  Wounded,  like  the  bruised  sensitive  plant. 
Gelsomina  withdrew  her  mask,  for  air,  actually 
gasping  for  breath,  between  offended  pride  and 
wonder. 

"  Thou  here  ! "  she  added,  scarce  knowing  what 
she  uttered. 

"  Thou  here ! "  repeated  Annina,  with  such  a 
laugh,  as  escapes  the  degraded,  when  they  believe 
the  innocent  reduced  to  their  own  level. 

"  Nay — I  come  on  an  errand  of  pity." 

"  Santa  Maria !  we  are  both  here  with  the  same 
end!" 

"  Annina !  I  know  not  what  thou  would'st  say ! — 
This  is  surely  the  palace  of  Don  Camillo  Monforte ! 
— A  noble  Neapolitan,  who  urges  claims  to  the  hon 
ors  of  the  senate  ? " 

"  The  gayest — the  handsomest — the  richest,  and 
the  most  inconstant  cavalier  in  Venice  !  Hadst  thou 
been  here,  a  thousand  times,  thou  could'st  not  be 
better  informed ! " 

Gelsomina  listened  in  horror.  Her  artful  cousin, 
who  knew  her  character  to  the  full  extent  that  vice 
can  comprehend  innocence,  watched  her  colorless 


THE   BRAVO.  375 

cheek  and  contracting  eye,  with  secret  triumph. 
At  the  first  moment,  she  had  believed  all  that  she 
insinuated,  but  second  thoughts,  and  a  view  of  the 
visible  distress  of  the  frightened  girl,  gave  a  new 
direction  to  her  suspicions. 

"  But  I  tell  thee  nothing  new,"  she  quickly  added. 
"  I  only  regret  thou  should'st  find  me,  where,  no 
doubt,  you  expected  to  meet  the  Duca  di  Sant' 
Agata  himself." 

"  Annina ! — This  from  thee !" 

"  Thou  surely  didst  not  come  to  his  palace  to 
seek  thy  cousin  ! " 

Gelsomina  had  long  been  familiar  with  grief,  but 
until  this  moment  she  had  never  felt  the  deep  humil 
iation  of  shame.  Tears  started  from  her  eyes,  and 
she  sunk  back  into  a  seat,  in  utter  inability  to  stand. 

"  I  would  not  distress  thee  out  of  bearing,"  added 
the  artful  daughter  of  the  wine-seller.  "  But  that 
we  are  both  in  the  closet  of  the  gayest  cavalier  of 
Venice,  is  beyond  dispute." 

*  I  have  told  thee  that  pity  for  another  brought 
me  hither." 

"  Pity  for  Don  Camillo." 

"  For  a  noble  lady — a  young,  a  virtuous,  and  a 
beautiful  wife — a  daughter  of  the  Tiepolo — of  the 
Tiepolo,  Annina ! " 

"  Why  should  a  lady  of  the  Tiepolo  employ  a 
girl  of  the  public  prisons ! " 

"  Why !— because  there  has  been  injustice  by 
those  up  above.  There  has  been  a  tumult  among 
the  fishermen — and  the  lady  with  her  governess 
were  liberated  by  the  rioters — and  his  Highness 
spoke  to  them  in  the  great  court — and  the  Dalma 
tians  were  on  the  quay — and  the  prison  was  a  re 
fuge  for  ladies  of  their  quality,  in  a  moment  of  so 
great  terror — and  the  Holy  Church  itself  has  bless 
ed  their  love " 

Gelsomina  could  utter  no  more,  but  breathless  with 


376  THE   BRAVO. 

the  wish  to  vindicate  herself,  and  wounded  to  the 
soul  by  the  strange  embarrassment  of  her  situation, 
she  sobbed  aloud.  Incoherent  as  had  been  her  lan 
guage,  she  had  said  enough  to  remove  every  doubt 
from  the  mind  of  Annina.  Privy  to  the  secret  mar 
riage,  to  the  rising  of  the  fishermen,  and  to  the  de 
parture  of  the  ladies,  from  the  convent  on  a  distant 
island,  where  they  had  been  carried  on  quitting 
their  own  palace,  the  preceding  night,  and  whither 
she  had  been  compelled  to  conduct  Don  Camillo, 
who  had  ascertained  the  departure  of  those  he 
sought  without  discovering  their  destination,  the 
daughter  of  the  wine-seller  readily  comprehended, 
not  only  the  errand  of  her  cousin,  but  the  precise 
situation  of  the  fugitives. 

"And  thou  believest  this  fiction,  Gelsomina?" 
she  said,  affecting  pity  for  her  cousin's  credulity 
"  The  characters  of  thy  pretended  daughter  of  Tie- 
polo  and  her  governess  are  no  secrets  to  those  who 
frequent  the  piazza  of  San  Marco." 

"  Hadst  thou  seen  the  beauty  and  innocence  of 
the  lady,  Annina,  thou  would'st  not  say  this ! " 

"  Blessed  San  Theodore  !  What  is  more  beauti 
ful  than  vice !  'Tis  the  cheapest  artifice  of  the  devil 
to  deceive  frail  sinners.  This  thou  hast  heard  of 
thy  confessor,  Gelsomina,  or  he  is  of  much  lighter 
discourse  than  mine." 

"  But  why  should  a  wroman  of  this  life  enter  the 
prisons  1 " 

"  They  had  good  reasons  to  dread  the  Dalma 
tians,  no  doubt.  But,  it  is  in  my  power  to  tell  thee 
more,  of  these  thou  hast  entertained,  with  such 
peril  to  thine  own  reputation.  There  are  women 
in  Venice  who  discredit  their  sex  in  various  ways, 
and  these,  more  particularly  she  who  calls  herself 
Florinda,  is  notorious  for  her  agency  in  robbing  St 
Mark  of  his  revenue.  She  has  received  a  largess 
from  the  Neapolitan,  of  wines  grown  on  his  Gala 


THE  BRAVO.  377 

brian  mountains,  and  wishing  to  tamper  with  my 
honesty,  she  offered  the  liquor  to  me,  expecting  one 
like  me  to  forget  my  duty,  and  to  aid  her  in  deceiv 
ing  the  republic." 

"  Can  this  be  true,  Annina  !" 

"  Why  should  I  deceive  thee  ?  Are  we  not  sis 
ter's  children,  and  though  affairs  on  the  Lido  keep 
me  much  from  thy  company,  is  not  the  love  be 
tween  us  natural?  I  complained  to  the  authorities, 
and  the  liquors  were  seized,  and  the  pretended  no 
ble  ladies  were  obliged  to  hide  themselves  this  very 
day.  'Tis  thought  they  wish  to  flee  the  city,  with 
their  profligate  Neapolitan.  Driven  to  take  shelter, 
they  have  sent  thee  to  acquaint  him  with  their 
hiding-place,  in  order  that  he  may  come  to  their 
aid." 

"  And  why  art  thou  here,  Annina  ?" 

"  I  marvel  that  thou  didst  not  put  the  question 
sooner.  Gino,  the  gondolier  of  Don  Camillo,  has 
long  been  an  unfavorable  suitor  of  mine,  and  when 
this  Florinda  complained  of  my  having,  what  every 
honest  girl  in  Venice  should  do,  exposed  her  fraud 
to  the  authorities,  he  advised  his  master  to  seize  me, 
partly  in  revenge,  and  partly  with  the  vain  hope  of 
making  me  retract  the  complaint  I  have  made.  Thou 
hast  heard  of  the  bold  violence  of  these  cavaliers 
when  thwarted  in  their  wills." 

Annina  then  related  the  manner  of  her  seizure, 
with  sufficient  exactitude,  merely  concealing  those 
facts  that  it  was  not  her  interest  to  reveal. 

"  But  there  is  a  lady  of  the  Tiepolo,  Annina !  " 

"  As  sllre  as  there  are  cousins  like  ourselves. 
Santa  Madre  di  Dio !  that  women  so  treacherous 
and  so  bold  should  have  met  one  of  thy  innocence ! 
It  would  have  been  better  had  they  fallen  in  with 
me,  who  am  too  ignorant  for  their  cunning,  blessed 
St.  Anna  knows ! — but  who  has  not  to  learn  their 
true  characters." 

212 


378  THE    BRAVO. 

"  They  did  speak  of  thee,  Annina !" 

The  glance,  which  the  wine-seller's  daughter 
threw  at  her  cousin,  was  such  as  the  treacherous 
serpent  casts  at  the  bird ;  but  preserving  her  self- 
possession,  she  added — 

"  Not  to  my  favor ;  it  would  sicken  me  to  hear 
words  of  favor  from  such  as  they!" 

"  They  are  not  thy  friends,  Annina." 

4<  Perhaps  they  told  thee,  child,  that  I  was  in  the 
employment  of  the  council  1 " 

"  Indeed  they  did." 

"  No  wonder.  Your  dishonest  people  can  never 
believe  one  can  do  an  act  of  pure  conscience. 
But,  here  comes  the  Neapolitan. — Note  the  libertine, 
Gelsomina,  and  thou  wilt  feel  for  him  the  same  dis 
gust  as  I!" 

The  door  opened,  and  Don  Camillo  Monforte  en 
tered.  There  was  an  appearance  of  distrust  in  his 
manner,  which  proved  that  he  did  not  expect  to 
meet  his  bride.  Gelsomina  arose,  and,  though  be 
wildered  by  the  tale  of  her  cousin,  and  her  own 
previous  impressions,  she  stood  resembling  a  meek 
statue  of  modesty,  awaiting  his  approach.  The 
Neapolitan  was  evidently  struck  by  her  beauty,  and 
the  simplicity  of  her  air,  but  his  brow  was  fixed, 
like  that  of  a  man  who  had  steeled  his  feelings 
against  deceit. 

"  Thou  would'st  see  me?"  he  said. 

"  I  had  that  wish,  noble  Signore,  but — Annina — " 

"  Seeing  another,  thy  mind  hath  changed." 

"  Signore,  it  has." 

Don  Camillo  looked  at  her  earnestly,* and  with 
manly  regret. 

"  Thou  art  young  for  thy  vocation — here  is  gold. 
Retire  as  thou  earnest. — But  hold — dost  thou  know 
this  Annina?" 

"  She  is  my  mother's  sister's  daughter,  noble 
Duca." 


THE  BRAVO.  379 

"  Per  Diana !  a  worthy  sisterhood !  Depart  to 
gether,  for  I  have  no  need  of  either.  But  mark 
me,"  and  as  he  spoke,  Don  Camillo  took  Annina  by 
the  arm,  and  led  her  aside,  when  he  continued  with 
a  low  but  menacing  voice — "  Thou  see'st  I  am  to 
be  feared,  as  well  as  thy  Councils.  Thou  canst  not 
cross  the  threshold  of  thy  father  without  my  know 
ledge.  If  prudent,  thou  wilt  teach  thy  tongue  discre 
tion.  Do  as  thou  wilt,  I  fear  thee  not ;  but  remem 
ber,  prudence," 

Annina.  made  an  humble  reverence,  as  if  in  acknow 
ledgment  of  the  wisdom  of  his  advice,  and  taking 
the  arm  of  her  half-unconscious  cousin,  she  again 
curtsied,  and  hurried  from  the  room.  As  the  pres 
ence  of  their  master  in  his  closet  was  known  to 
them,  none  of  the  menials  presumed  to  stop  those 
who  issued  from  the  privileged  room.  Gelsomina, 
who  was  even  more  impatient  than  her  wily  com 
panion  to  escape  from  a  place  she  believed  polluted, 
was  nearly  breathless  when  she  reached  the  gon 
dola.  Its  owner  was  in  waiting  on  the  steps,  and 
in  a  moment  the  boat  whirled  away  from  a  spot, 
which  both  of  those  it  contained  were,  though  for 
reasons  so  very  different,  glad  to  quit. 

Gelsomina  had  forgotten  her  mask,  in  her  hurry ; 
and  the  gondola  was  no  sooner  in  the  great  canal 
than  she  put  her  face  at  the  window  of  the  pavilion 
in  quest  of  the  evening  air.  The  rays  of  the  moon 
fell  upon  her  guileless  eye,  and  a  cheek  that  was 
now  glowing,  partly  with  offended  pride,  and  partly 
with  joy  at  her  escape  from  a  situation  she  felt 
to  be  so  degrading.  Her  forehead  was  touched 
with  a  finger,  and  turning  she  saw  the  gondolier 
making  a  sign  of  caution.  He  then  slowly  lifted 
his  mask. 

"  Carlo !"  had  half  burst  from  her  lips,  but  another 
sign  suppressed  the  cry. 

Gelsomina  withdrew  her  head,   and,  after  her 


380  THE    BRAVO. 

beating  heart  had  ceased  to  throb,  she  bowed  hei 
face  and  murmured  thanksgivings,  at  finding  herself 
at  such  a  moment,  under  the  protection  of  one  who 
possessed*all  her  confidence. 

The  gondolier  asked  no  orders  for  his  direction. 
The  boat  moved  on,  taking  the  direction  of  the  port, 
which  appeared  perfectly  natural  to  the  two  females. 

Annina  supposed  it  was  returning  to  the  square, 
the  place  she  would  have  sought  had  she  been  alone, 
and  Gelsomina,  who  believed  that  he  whom  she 
called  Carlo,  toiled  regularly  as  a  gondolier  for  sup 
port,  fancied,  of  course,  that  he  was  taking  her  to 
her  ordinary  residence. 

But  though  the  innocent  can  endure  the  scorn  of 
the  world,  it  is  hard  indeed  to  be  suspected  by  those 
they  love.  All  that  Annina  had  told  her  of  the 
character  of  Don  Camillo  and  his  associates  came 
gradually  across  the  mind  of  the  gentle  Gelsomina, 
and  she  felt  the  blood  creeping  to  her  temples,  as  she 
saw  'the  construction  her  lover  might  put  on  her 
conduct.  A  dozen  times  did  the  artless  girl  satisfy 
herself  with  saying  inwardly,  "  he  knows  me  and 
will  believe  the  best,"  and  as  often  did  her  feelings 
prompt  her  to  tell  the  truth.  Suspense  is  far  more 
painful,  at  such  moments,  than  even  vindication, 
which,  in  itself,  is  a  humiliating  duty  to  the  virtuous. 
Pretending  a  desire  to  breathe  the  air,  she  left  her 
cousin  in  the  canopy.  Annina  was  not  sorry  to  be 
alone,  for  she  had  need  to  reflect  on  all  the  windings 
of  the  sinuous  path  on  which  she  had  entered. 

Gelsomina  succeeded  in  passing  the  pavilion,  and 
in  gaining  the  side  of  the  gondolier. 

"Carlo!" — she  said,  observing  that  he  continued 
to  row  in  silence. 

"Gelsomina!" 

"  Thou  hast  not  questioned  me !" 

"  I  know  thy  treacherous  cousin,  and  can  believe 


THE  BRAVO.  381 

thou  art  her  dupe.     The  moment  to  learn  the  truth 
will  come." 

"  Thou  didst  not  know  me,  Carlo,  when  I  called 
thee  from  the  bridge?" 

"  I  did  not — Any  fare  that  would  occupy  my  time 
was  welcome." 

"Why  dost  thou  call  Annina  treacherous?" 

"  Because  Venice  does  not  hold  a  more  wily  heart, 
or  a  falser  tongue." 

Gelsomina  remembered  the  warning  of  Donna 
Florinda.  Possessed  of  the  advantage  of  blood,  and 
that  reliance  which  the  inexperienced  always  place 
in  the  integrity  of  their  friends,  until  exposure  comes 
to  destroy  the  illusion,  Annina  had  found  it  easy  to 
persuade  her  cousin  of  the  unworthiness  of  her 
guests.  But  here  was  one  who  had  all  her  sympa 
thies,  who  openly  denounced  Annina  herself.  In 
such  a  dilemma  the  bewildered  girl  did  what  nature 
and  her  feelings  suggested.  She  recounted,  in  a  low 
but  rapid  voice,  the  incidents  of  the  evening,  and 
Annina's  construction  of  the  conduct  of  the  females 
whom  she  had  left  behind  in  the  prison. 

Jacopo  listened  so  intently  that  his  oar  dragged  in 
the  water. 

"Enough,"  he  said,  when  Gelsomina,  blushing 
with  her  own  earnestness  to  stand  exculpated  in  his 
eyes,  had  done ;  "  I  understand  it  all.  Distrust  thy 
cousin,  for  the  senate  itself  is  not  more  false." 

The  pretended  Carlo  spoke  cautiously,  but  in  a 
firm  voice.  Gelsomina  took  his  meaning,  though 
wondering  at  what  she  heard,  and  returned  to  An 
nina  within.  The  gondola  proceeded,  as  if  nothing 
had  occurred. 


382  THE  BRAVO. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

"  Enough. 

I  could  be  merry  now :  Hubert,  I  love  thee ; 
Well,  I'll  not  say  what  I  intend  for  thee : 
Remember. 

King  John. 

JACOPO  was  deeply  practised  in  the  windings  of 
Venetian  deceit.  He  knew  how  unceasingly  the 
eyes  of  the  Councils,  through  their  agents,  were  on 
the  movements  of  those  in  whom  they  took  an  inter 
est,  and  he  was  far  from  feeling  all  the  advantage 
circumstances  had  seemingly  thrown  in  his  way. 
Annina  was  certainly  in  his  power,  and  it  was  not 
possible  that  she  had  yet  communicated  the  intelli 
gence,  derived  from  Gelsomina,  to  any  of  her  em 
ployers.  But  a  gesture,  a  look  in  passing  the  prison- 
gates,  the  appearance  of  duresse,  or  an  exclamation, 
might  give  the  alarm  to  some  one  of  the  thousand 
spies  of  the  police.  The  disposal  of  Annina's  person 
in  some  place  of  safety,  therefore,  became  the  first 
and  the  most  material  act.  To  return  to  the  palace 
of  Don  Camillo,  would  be  to  go  into  the  midst  of  the 
hirelings  of  the  senate ;  and  although  the  Neapolitan, 
relying  on  his  rank  and  influence,  had  preferred  this 
step,  when  little  importance  was  attached  to  the  de 
tention  of  the  girl,  and  when  all  she  knew  had  been 
revealed,  the  case  was  altered,  now  that  she  might 
become  the  connecting  link  in  the  information  neces 
sary  to  enable  the  officers  to  find  the  fugitives. 

The  gondola  moved  on.  Palace  after  palace  was 
passed,  and  the  impatient  Annina  thrust  her  head 
from  a  window  to  note  its  progress.  They  came 
among  the  shipping  of  the  port,  and  her  uneasiness 
sensibly  increased.  Making  a  pretext  similar  to  that 
of  Gelsomina,  the  wine-seller's  daughter  quitted  the 
pavilion,  to  steal  to  the  side  of  the  gondolier. 


THE    BRAVO.  383 

"  I  would  be  landed  quickly  at  the  water-gate  of 
the  doge's  palace,"  she  said,  slipping  a  piece  of  sil 
ver  into  the  hand  of  the  boatman. 

"  You  shall  be  served,  Bella  Donna.  But — Dia- 
mine !  I  marvel  that  a  girl  of  thy  wit  should  not 
scent  the  treasures  in  yonder  felucca ! " 

"  Dost  thou  mean  the  Sorrentine  1 " 

"  What  other  padrone  brings  as  well-flavored 
liquors  within  the  Lido !  Quiet  thy  impatience  to 
land,  daughter  of  honest  old  Maso,  and  traffic  with 
the  padrone,  for  the  comfort  of  us  of  the  canals." 

"  How !  Thou  knowest  me  then  ?  " 

"  To  be  the  pretty  wine-seller  of  the  Lido.  Corpo 
di  Bacco !  Thou  art  as  well  known  as  the  sea-wall 
itself,  to  us  gondoliers." 

"  Why  art  thou  masked  ?  thou  canst  not  be 
Luigi!" 

"  It  is  little  matter  whether  I  am  called  Luigi,  or 
Enrico,  or  Giorgio — I  am  thy  customer,  and  honor 
the  shortest  hair  of  thy  eyebrows.  Thou  knowest, 
Annina,  that  the  young  patricians  have  their  frolics, 
and  they  swear  us  gondoliers  to  keep  secret  till  all 
danger  of  detection  is  over ;  were  any  impertinent 
eyes  following  me,  I  might  be  questioned  as  to  the 
manner  of  having  passed  the  earlier  hours." 

"  Methinks  it  would  be  better  to  have  given  thee 
gold,  and  to  have  sent  thee  at  once  to  thy  home." 

"  To  be  followed  like  a  denounced  Hebrew  to  my 
door.  When  I  have  confounded  my  boat  with  a 
thousand  others,  it  will  be  time  to  uncover.  Wilt 
thou  to  the  Bella  Sorrentina  1 " 

"  Nay,  'tis  not  necessary  to  ask,  since  thou  takest 
the  direction  of  thine  own  will ! " 

The  gondolier  laughed  and  nodded  his  head,  as 
if  he  would  give  his  companion  to  understand  that 
he  was  master  of  her  secret  wishes.  Annina  was 
hesitating  in  what  manner  she  should  make  him 


384  THE    BRAVO. 

change  his  purpose,  when  the  gondola  touched  the 
felucca's  side. 

"  We  will  go  up  and  speak  to  the  padrone," 
whispered  Jacopo. 

"  It  is  of  no  avail ;  he  is  without  liquors." 

"  Trust  him  not — I  know  the  man  and  his  pre 
tences." 

"  Thou  forgettest  my  cousin." 

"  She  is  an  innocent  and  unsuspecting  child." 

Jacopo  lifted  Annina,  as  he  spoke,  on  the  deck 
of  the  Bella  Sorrentina,  in  a  manner  between  gal 
lantry  and  force,  and  leaped  after  her.  Without 
pausing,  or  suffering  her  to  rally  her  thoughts,  he 
led  her  to  the  cabin  stairs,  which  she  descended, 
wondering  at  his  conduct,  but  determined  not  to 
betray  her  own  secret  wrongs  on  the  customs  to  a 
stranger. 

Stefano  Milano  was  asleep,  in  a  sail,  on  deck.  A 
touch  aroused  him,  and  a  sign  gave  him  to  under 
stand  that  the  imaginary  Roderigo  stood  before 
him. 

"  A  thousand  pardons,  Signore,"  said  the  gaping 
mariner ;  "  is  the  freight  come  ? 

"  In  part  only.  I  have  brought  thee  a  certain 
Annina  Torti,  the  daughter  of  old  Tommaso  Torti, 
a  wine-seller  of  the  Lido." 

"  Santa  Madre !  does  the  senate  think  it  neces 
sary  to  send  one  like  her  from  the  city  in  secret  1 " 

"  It  does — and  it  lays  great  stress  on  her  deten 
tion.  I  have  come  hither  with  her,  without  suspi 
cion  of  my  object,  and  she  has  been  prevailed  on  to 
enter  thy  cabin,  under  a  pretence  of  some  secret 
dealings  in  wines.  According  to  our  former  under 
standing,  it  will  be  thy  business  to  make  sure  of  her 
presence." 

"  That  is  easily  done,"  returned  Stefano,  stepping 
forward  and  closing  the  cabin-door,  which  he  se 
cured  by  a  bolt.  "  She  is  alone,  now,  with  ths 


THE    BRAVO.  385 

image  of  our  Lady,  and  a  better  occasion  to  repeat 
her  aves  cannot  offer." 

"  This  is  well,  if  thou  canst  keep  her  so.  It  is 
now  time  to  lift  thy  anchors,  and  to  go  beyond  the 
tiers  of  the  vessels  with  the  felucca." 

"  Signore,  there  wants  but  five  minutes  for  that 
duty,  since  we  are  ready." 

"  Then  perform  it,  in  all  speed,  for  much  depends 
on  the  management  of  this  delicate  duty.  I  will  be 
with  thee,  anon.  Hearkee,  Master  Stefano ;  take 
heed  of  thy  prisoner,  for  the  senate  makes  great 
account  of  her  security." 

The  Calabrian  made  such  a  gesture,  as  one  ini 
tiated  uses,  when  he  would  express  a  confidence  in 
his  own  shrewdness.  While  the  pretended  Roderigo 
re-entered  his  gondola,  Stefano  began  to  awaken 
his  people.  As  the  gondola  entered  the  canal  of 
San  Marco,  the  sails  of  the  felucca  fell,  and  the  low 
Calabrian  vessel  stole  along  the  tiers  towards  the 
clear  water  beyond. 

The  boat  quickly  touched  the  steps  of  the  water- 
gate  of  the  palace.  Gelsomina  entered  the  arch, 
and  glided  up  the  Giant's  Stairway,  the  route  by 
which  she  had  quitted  the  palace.  The  halberdier 
was  the  same  that  watched  as  she  went  out.  He 
spoke  to  her,  in  gallantry,  but  offered  no  impedi 
ment  to  her  entrance. 

"  Haste,  noble  ladies,  hasten  for  the  love  of  the 
Holy  Virgin ! "  exclaimed  Gelsomina,  as  she  burst 
into  the  room  in  which  Donna  Violetta  and  her 
companion  awaited  her  appearance.  "  I  have  en 
dangered  your  liberty  by  my  weakness,  and  there 
is  not  a  moment  to  lose.  Follow  while  you  may, 
nor  stop  to  whisper  even  a  prayer." 

"  Thou  art  hurried  and  breathless,"  returned 
Donna  Florinda ;  "  hast  thou  seen  the  Duca  di 
Sant'Agata?" 

"  Nay,  question  me  not,  but  follow,  noble  dames." 
2K 


380  THE   BRAVO. 

Gelsomina  seized  the  lamp,  and  casting  a 
that  appealed  strongly  to  her  visitors  for  tacit  com 
pliance,  she  led  the  way  into  the  corridors.  It  is 
scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  she  was  followed. 

The  prison  was  left  in  safety,  the  Bridge  of 
Sighs  was  passed,  for  it  will  be  remembered  that 
Gelsomina  was  still  mistress  of  the  keys,  and  the 
party  went  swiftly  by  the  great  stairs  of  the  palace 
into  the  open  gallery.  No  obstruction  was  offered  to 
their  progress,  and  they  all  descended  to  the  court, 
with  the  quiet  demeanor  of  females  who  went  out 
on  their  ordinary  affairs. 

Jacopo  awaited  at  the  water-gate.  In  less  than  a 
minute  he  was  driving  his  gondola  across  the  port, 
following  the  course  of  the  felucca,  whose  white 
sail  was  visible  in  the  moonlight,  now  bellying  in 
the  breeze,  and  now  flapping  as  the  mariners 
checked  her  speed.  Gelsomina  watched  their  pro 
gress  for  a  moment  in  breathless  interest,  ai.d  then 
she  crossed  the  bridge  of  the  quay,  and  entered  the 
prison  by  its  public  gate. 

"  Hast  thou  made  sure  of  the  old  'Maso's  daugh 
ter?"  demanded  Jacopo,  on  reaching  the  deck  of 
the  Bella  Sorrentina  again. 

"  She  is  like  shifting  ballast,  Master  Roderigo ; 
first  on  one  side  of  the  cabin,  and  then  on  the 
other ;  but  you  see  the  bolt  is  undrawn." 

"  'Tis  well:  here  is  more  of  thy  freight — thou 
hast  the  proper  passes  for  the  galley  of  the  guard  V 

"  All  is  in  excellent  order,  Signore ;  when  was 
Stefano  Milano  out  of  rule  in  a  matter  of  haste  ? 
Diamine!  let  the  breeze  come,  and  though  the 
senate  should  wish  us  back  again,  it  might  send  all 
its  spirri  after  us  in  vain." 

"Excellent  Stefano!  fill  thy  sails,  then,  for  cur 
masters  watch  your  movements,  and  set  a  value  on 
your  diligence." 

While  the  Calabrian  complied,  Jacopo  assisted 


THE    BRAVO.  387 

the  females  to  come  up  out  of  the  gondola.  In  a 
moment  the  heavy  yards  swung  off,  wing  and  wing, 
and  the  bubbles  that  appeared  to  glance  past  the 
aides  of  the  Bella  Sorrentina,  denoted  her  speed. 

"  Thou  hast  noble  ladies  in  thy  passengers,"  said 
Jacopo  to  the  padrone,  when  the  latter  was  released 
from  the  active  duties  of  getting  his  vessel  in  mo 
tion  ;  "  and  though  policy  requires  that  they  should 
quit  the  city  for  a  time,  thou  wilt  gain  favor  by  con 
sulting  their  pleasures." 

"  Doubt  me  not,  Master  Roderigo ;  but  thou  for- 
gettest  that  I  have  not  yet  received  my  sailing  in 
structions  ;  a  felucca  without  a  course,  is  as  badly 
off  as  an  owl  in  the  sun." 

"  That  in  good  time ;  there  will  come  an  officer 
of  the  republic  to  settle  this  matter  with  thee.  I 
would  not  have  these  noble  ladies  know,  that  one 
like  Annjna  is  to  be  their  fellow-passenger,  while 
they  are  near  the  port ;  for  they  might  complain  of 
disrespect.  Thou  understandest,  Stefano  1 " 

"  Cospetto !  am  I  a  fool  1  a  blunderer  ?  if  so,  why 
does  the  senate  employ  me  ?  the  girl  is  out  of  hear 
ing,  and  there  let  her  stay.  As  long  as  the  noble 
dames  are  willing  to  breathe  the  night  air,  they 
shall  have  none  of  her  company." 

"No  fear  of  them.  The  dwellers  of  the  land 
little  relish  the  pent  air  of  thy  cabin.  Thou  wilt  go 
without  the  Lido,  Stefano,  and  await  my  coming 
If  thou  should'st  not  see  me  before  the  hour  of  one, 
bear  away  for  the  port  of  Ancona,  where  thou  wilt 
get  further  tidings." 

Stefano,  who  had  often  previously  received  his 
instructions  from  the  imaginary  Roderigo,  nodded 
assent,  and  they  parted.  It  is  scarcely  necessary 
to  add,  that  the  fugitives  had  been  fully  instructed  in 
the  conduct  they  were  to  maintain. 

The  gondola  of  Jacopo  never  flew  faster,  than 
he  now  urged  it  towards  the  land.  In  the  constant 


388  THE   BRAVO 

passage  of  the  boats,  the  movements  of  one  were 
not  likely  to  be  remarked ;  and  he  found,  when  he 
reached  the  quay  of  the  square,  that  his  passing  and 
repassing  had  not  been  observed.  He  boldly  un 
masked  and  landed.  It  was  near  the  hour  when 
he  had  given  Don  Camillo  a  rendezvous  in  the 
piazza,  and  he  walked  slowly  up  the  smaller  square, 
towards  the  appointed  place  of  meeting. 

Jacopo,  as  has  been  seen  in  an  earlier  chapter 
had  a  practice  of  walking  near  the  columns  of 
granite  in  the  first  hours  of  the  night.  It  was  the 
vulgar  impression  that  he  waited  there  for  custom 
in  his  bloody  calling,  as  men  of  more  innocent  lives 
take  their  stands  in  places  of  mark.  When  seen  on 
his  customary  stand,  he  was  avoided  by  all  who 
were  chary  of  their  character,  or  scrupulous  of  ap 
pearances. 

The  persecuted  and  yet  singularly  tolerated 
Bravo,  was  slowly  pacing  the  flags  on  his  way  to 
the  appointed  place,  unwilling  to  anticipate  the  mo 
ment,  when  a  laquais  thrust  a  paper  into  his  hand, 
and  disappeared  as  fast  as  legs  would  carry  him. 
It  has  been  seen  that  Jacopo  could  not  read,  for 
that  was  an  age  when  men  of  his  class  were  studi 
ously  kept  in  ignorance.  He  turned  to  the  first  pas 
senger  who  had  the  appearance  of  being  likely  to 
satisfy  his  wishes,  and  desired  him  to  do  the  office 
of  interpreter. 

He  had  addressed  an  honest  shop-keeper  of  a 
distant  quarter.  The  man  took  the  scroll,  and  good- 
naturedly  commenced  reading  its  contents  aloud. 
"  I  am  called  away,  and  cannot  meet  thee,  Jacopo !" 
At  the  name  of  Jacopo,  the  tradesman  dropped  the 
paper  and  fled. 

The  Bravo  walked  slowly  back  again,  towards 
the  quay,  ruminating  on  the  awkward  accident 
which  had  crossed  his  plans;  his  elbow  was  touch 
ed,  and  a  masker  confronted  him  when  he  turned. 


THE  BRAVO  389 

"Thou  art  Jacopo  Frontoni?"  said  the  stranger. 

"  None  else." 

"  Thou  hast  a  hand  to  serve  an  employer,  faith 
fully?" 

"  I  keep  my  faith." 

"  'Tis  well, — thou  wilt  find  a  hundred  sequins  in 
this  sack." 

"Whose  life  is  set  against  this  gold?"  asked  Ja 
copo,  in  an  under  tone. 

"  Don  Camillo  Monforte." 

"  Don  Camillo  Monforte  !" 

"  The  same:  dost  thou  know  the  rich  noble?" 

"  You  have  well  described  him,  Signore.  He 
would  pay  his  barber  this  for  letting  blood. 

"  Do  thy  job  thoroughly,  and  the  price  shall  be 
doubled." 

"  I  want  the  security  of  a  name.  I  know  you  not, 
Signore." 

The  stranger  looked  cautiously  around  him,  and 
raising  his  mask  for  an  instant,  he  showed  the  coun 
tenance  of  Giacomo  Gradenigo. 

"Is  the  pledge  sufficient?" 

"  Signore,  it  is.     When  must  this  deed  be  done?" 

"  This  night. — Nay,  this  hour,  even." 

"  Shall  I  strike  a  noble  of  his  rank  in  his  palace — 
in  his  very  pleasures?" 

"  Come  hither,  Jacopo,  and  thou  shalt  know  more. 
Hast  thou  a  mask?" 

The  Bravo  signified  his  assent. 

"  Then  keep  thy  face  behind  a  cloud,  for  it  is 
not  in  favor  here,  and  seek  thy  boat.  I  will  join 
Jiee." 

The  young  patrician,  whose  form  was  effectually 
concealed  by  his  attire,  quitted  his  companion,  with 
i  view  of  rejoining  him  anew,  where  his  person 
should  not  be  known.  Jacopo  forced  his  boat  from 
among  the  crowd  at  the  quay,  and  having  entered 
,?he  open  space,  between  the  tiers,  he  lav  on  his  oar 
2K2 


390  THE    BRAVO. 

well  knowing  that  he  was  watched,  and  that  h« 
would  soon  be  followed.  His  conjecture  was  right, 
for  in  a  few  moments  a  gondola  pulled  swiftly  to 
the  side  of  his  own,  and  two  men  in  masks  passed 
from  the  strange  boat  into  that  of  the  Bravo,  with 
out  speaking. 

"  To  the  Lido,"  said  a  voice,  which  Jacopo  knew 
to  be  that  of  his  new  employer. 

He  was  obeyed,  the  boat  of  Giacomo  Gradenigo 
following  at  a  little  distance.  When  they  were  with 
out  the  tiers,  and  consequently  beyond  the  danger 
of  being  overheard,  the  two  passengers  came  out  of 
the  pavilion,  and  made  a  sign  to  the  Bravo  to  cease 
rowing. 

"  Thou  wilt  accept  the  service,  Jacopo  Fronto- 
ni  ? "  demanded  the  profligate  heir  of  the  old  senator. 

"  Shall  I  strike  the  noble  in  his  pleasures,  Sig- 
nore?" 

"  It  is  not  necessary.  We  have  found  means  to 
lure  him  from  his  palace,  and  he  is  now  in  thy  pow 
er,  with  no  other  hope  than  that  which  may  come 
from  his  single  arm  and  courage.  Wilt  thou  take 
the  service?" 

"  Gladly,  Signore — It  is  my  humor  to  encountei 
the  brave." 

"Thou  wilt  be  gratified.  The  Neapolitan  has 
thwarted  me  in  my — shall  I  call-it  love,  Hosea  ;  or 
hast  thou  a  better  name?" 

"  Just  Daniel !  Signor  Giacomo,  you  have  no  re 
spect  for  reputations  and  surety !  I  see  no  necessity 
for  a  home  thrust,  Master  Jacopo ;  but  a  smart 
wound,  that  may  put  matrimony  out  of  the  head  of 
the  Duca  for  a  time  at  least,  and  penitence  into  its 
place,  would  be  better " 

"  Strike  to  the  heart !"  interrupted  Giacomo.  "  It 
is  the  certainty  of  thy  blow  which  has  caused  me 
to  seek  thee." 

"  This  is  usurious  vengeance,  Signor  Giacomo," 


THE   BRAVO.  391 

returned  the  less  resolute  Jew.  "  'Twill  be  more  than 
sufficient  for  our  purposes,  if  we  cause  the  Neapoli 
tan  to  keep  house  for  a  month." 

"  Send  him  to  his  grave.  Harkee,  Jacopo,  a 
hundred  for  thy  blow — a  second  for  insurance  of 
its  depth — a  third,  if  the  body  shall  be  buried  in  the 
Orfano,  so  that  the  water  will  never  give  back  the 
secret." 

"  If  the  two  first  must  be  performed,  the  last  will 
oe  prudent  caution,"  muttered  the  Jew,  who  was  a 
wary  villain,  and  who  greatly  preferred  such  sec 
ondary  expedients,  as  might  lighten  the  load  on  his 
conscience.  "  You  will  not  trust,  young  Signore,  to 
a  smart  wound?" 

"  Not  a  sequin.  'Twill  be  heating  the  fancy  of 
the  girl  with  hopes  and  pity.  Dost  thou  accept  the 
terms.  Jacopo?" 

"  I  do." 

"  Then  row  to  the  Lido.  Among  the  graves  of 
Hosea's  people — why  dost  thou  pull  at  my  skirts, 
Jew !  would'st  thou  hope  to  deceive  a  man  of  this 
character  with  a  flimsy  lie — among  the  graves  of 
Hosea's  people  thou  wilt  meet  Don  Camillo,  within 
the  hour.  He  is  deluded  by  a  pretended  letter  from 
the  lady  of  our  common  pursuit,  and  will  be  alone, 
in  the  hopes  of  flight ;  I  trust  to  thee  to  hasten  the 
latter,  so  far  as  the  Neapolitan  is  concerned.  Dost 
take  my  meaning  f( " 

"  Signore,  it  is  plain." 

"  'Tis  enough.  Thou  knowest  me,  and  can  take 
the  steps  necessary  for  thy  reward,  as  thou  shalt 
serve  me.  Hosea,  our  affair  is  ended." 

Giacomo  Gradenigo  made  a  sign  for  his  gondola 
to  approach,  and  dropping  a  sack  which  contained 
the  retainer  in  this  bloody  business,  he  passed  into  it, 
with  the  indifference  of  one,  who  had  been  accus- 
omed  to  consider  such  means  of  attaining  his  object 
awful.  Not  so  Hosea — he  was  a  rogue,  rather  than 


392  THE  BRAVO. 

a  villain.  The  preservation  of  his  money,  wit 
temptation  of  a  large  sum  which  had  been  proii 
him,  by  both  father  and  son,  in  the  event  of  the 
tatter's  success  with  Violetta,  were  irresistible  tempt 
ations  to  one  who  had  lived  contemned  by  those 
around  him,  and  he  found  his  solace  for  the  ruth 
less  attempt  in  the  acquisition  of  those  means  of 
enjoyment,  which  are  sought  equally  by  Christian 
and  Jew.  Still  his  blood  curdled,  at  the  extremity 
to  which  Giacomo  would  push  the  affair,  and  he 
lingered  to  utter  a  parting  word  to  the  Bravo. 

"  Thou  art  said  to  carry  a  sure  stiletto,  honest 
Jacopo,"  he  whispered.  "  A  hand  of  thy  practice 
must  know  how  to  maim,  as  well  as  to  slay. — Strike 
the  Neapolitan  smartly,  but  spare  his  life.  Even  the 
bearer  of  a  public  dagger  like  thine,  may  not  fare 
the  worse,  at  the  coming  of  Shilo,  for  having  been 
tender  of  his  strength,  on  occasion." 

"  Thou  forgettest  the  gold,  Hosea !" 

"  Father  Abraham !  what  a  memory  am  I  getting, 
in  my  years  !  Thou  sayest  truth,  mindful  Jacopo ; 
the  gold  shall  be  forthcoming,  in  any  event — al 
ways  provided  that  the  affair  is  so  managed  as  to 
leave  my  young  friend,  a  successful  adventurer  with 
the  heiress." 

Jacopo  made  an  impatient  gesture,  for  at  that  mo 
ment  he  saw  a  gondolier  pulling  rapidly  towards  a 
private  part  of  the  Lido.  The  Hebrew  joined  his 
companion,  and  the  boat  of  the  Bravo  darted  ahead. 
It  was  not  long  ere  it  lay  on  the  strand  of  the  Lido. 
The  steps  of  Jacopo  were  rapid,  as  he  moved  to 
wards  those  proscribed  graves,  among  which  he  had 
made  his  confession  to  the  very  man  he  was  now 
sent  to  slay. 

"  Art  thou  sent  to  meet  me  ?"  demanded  one,  who 
started  from  behind  a  rising  in  the  sands,  but  who 
took  the  precaution  to  bare  his  rapier  as  he  appeared 


THE    BRAVO.  3U3 

"  Signer  Duca,  I  am,"  returned  the  Bravo,  un 
masking. 

"  Jacopo ! — This  is  even  better  than  I  had  hoped . 
Hast  thou  tidings  from  my  bride  V9 

"  Follow,  Don  Camillo,  and  you  shall  quickly 
meet  her." 

Words  were  unnecessary  to  persuade,  when  there 
was  such  a  promise.  They  were  both  in  the  gon 
dola  of  Jacopo,  and  on  their  way  to  one  of  the  pas 
sages  through  the  Lido,  which  conducts  to  the  gulf 
before  the  Bravo  commenced  his  explanation.  This, 
however,  was  quickly  made,  not  forgetting  the  design 
of  Giacomo  Gradenigo  on  the  life  of  his  auditor. 

The  felucca,  which  had  been  previously  provided 
with  the  necessary  pass,  by  the  agents  of  the  police, 
itself,  had  quitted  the  port  under  easy  sail,  by  the 
very  inlet,  through  which  the  gondola  made  its  way 
into  the  Adriatic.  The  water  was  smooth,  the 
breeze  fresh  from  the  land,  and  in  short  all  things 
were  favorable  to  the  fugitives.  Donna  Violetta  and 
her  governess  were  leaning  against  a  mast,  watch 
ing  with  impatient  eyes  the  distant  domes,  and  the 
midnight  beauty  of  Venice.  Occasionally,  strains 
of  music  came  to  their  ears  from  the  canals,  and 
then  a  touch  of  natural  melancholy  crossed  the  feel 
ings  of  the  former,  as  she  feared  they  might  be  the 
last  sounds  of  that  nature,  she  should  ever  hear  from 
her  native  town.  But  unalloyed  pleasure  drove 
every  regret  from  her  mind  when  Don  Camillo 
leaped  from  the  gondola,  and  folded  her  in  triumph 
to  his  heart. 

There  was  little  difficulty  in  persuading  Stefano 
Milano  to  abandon,  for  ever,  the  service  of  the  sen 
ate,  for  that  of  his  feudal  lord.  The  promises  and 
commands  of  the  latter  were  sufficient  of  themselves 
to  reconcile  him  to  the  change,  and  all  were  con 
vinced  there  was  no  time  to  lose.  The  felucca  soon 
spread  her  canvas  to  the  wind,  and  slid  away  from 


394  THE   BRAVO. 

the  beach.  Jacopo  permitted  his  gondola  to  be 
towed  a  league  to  sea,  before  he  prepared  to  re- 
enter  it. 

"  You  will  steer  for  Ancona,  Signor  Don  Camillo, 
said  the  Bravo,  leaning  on  the  felucca's  side,  still 
unwilling  to  depart,  "  and  throw  yourself,  at  once, 
under  the  protection  of  the  Cardinal  Secretary.  If 
Stefano  keep  the  sea,  he  may  chance  meet  the  galleys 
of  the  senate." 

"  Distrust  us  not — but  thou,  my  excellent  Jacopo— 
what  wilt  thou  become,  in  their  hands'?" 

"  Fear  not  for  me,  Signore.  God  disposes  of  all, 
as  he  sees  fit.  I  have  told  your  eccellenza  that  I 
cannot  yet  quit  Venice.  If  fortune  favor  me,  I  may 
still  see  your  stout  castle  of  Sanf  Agata." 

"And  none  will  be  more  welcome,  within  its  secure 
walls ;  I  have  much  fear  for  thee,  Jacopo !" 

"  Signore,  think  not  of  it.  I  am  used  to  danger — 
and  to  misery — and  to  hopelessness.  I  have  known 
a  pleasure,  this  night,  in  witnessing  the  happiness  of 
two  young  hearts,  that  God,  in  his  anger,  has  long 
denied  me.  Lady,  the  Saints  keep  you,  and  God, 
who  is  above  all,  shield  you  from  harm ! " 

He  kissed  the  hand  of  Donna  Violetta,  who,  half 
ignorant  still  of  his  services,  listened  to  his  words, 
in  wonder. 

"  Don  Camillo  Monforte,"  he  continued,  "  distrust 
Venice  to  your  dying  day.  Let  no  promises — no 
hopes — no  desire  of  increasing  your  honors,  or  your 
riches,  ever  tempt  you  to  put  yourself  in  her  power. 
None  know  the  falsehood  of  the  state,  better  than  I, 
and  with  my  parting  words  I  warn  you  to  be  wary!" 

"  Thou  speakest  as  if  we  were  to  meet  no  more 
worthy  Jacopo !" 

The  Bravo  turned,  and  the  action  brought  his 
features  to  the  moon.  There  was  a  melancholy 
smile,  in  which  deep  satisfaction  at  the  success  of 


THE  BRAVO.  395 

the  lovers  was  mingled  with  serious  forebodings  for 
himself. 

"  We  are  certain  only  of  the  past,"  he  said,  in  a 
low  voice. 

Touching  the  hand  of  Don  Camillo,  he  kissed  his 
own  and  leaped  hastily  into  his  gondola.  The  fast 
was  thrown  loose,  and  the  felucca  glided  away,  leav 
ing  this  extraordinary  being,  alone,  in  the  waters. 
The  Neapolitan  ran  to  the  taffrail,  and  the  last  he 
saw  of  Jacopo,  the  Bravo  was  rowing  leisurely  back 
towards  that  scene  of  violence  and  deception,  from 
which  he  himself  was  so  glad  to  have  escaped. 


CHAPTER  XXYII. 

My  limbs  are  bow'd,  though  not  with  toil, 

But  rusted  with  a  vile  repose, 
For  they  have  been  a  dungeon's  spoil, 

And  mine  hath  been  the  fate  of  those 
To  whom  the  goodly  earth  and  air 
Are  bann'd,  and  barr'd — forbidden  fare. 

Prisoner  of  Chilian. 

WHEN  the  day  dawned  on  the  following  morning, 
the  square  of  St.  Mark  was  empty.  The  priests  still 
chanted  their  prayers  for  the  dead,  near  the  body 
of  old  Antonio,  and  a  few  fishermen  still  lingered 
in  and  near  the  cathedral  but  half  persuaded  of  the 
manner  in  which  their  companion  had  come  to  his 
end.  But,  as  was  usual  at  that  hour  of  the  day,  the 
city  appeared  tranquil,  for  though  a  slight  alarm  had 
passed  through  the  canals,  at  the  movement  of  the 
rioters,  it  had  subsided  in  that  specious  and  distru  st 
ill  quiet,  which  is,  more  or  less,  the  unavoidable 


396  THE    BRAVO 

consequence  of  a  system  that  is  not  substantially 
based  on  the  willing  support  of  the  mass. 

Jacopo  was  again  in  the  attic  of  the  doge's 
palace,  accompanied  by  the  gentle  Gelsomina.  As 
they  threaded  the  windings  of  the  building,  he  re 
counted  to  the  eager  ear  of  his  companion,  all  the 
details  connected  with  the  escape  of  the  lovers; 
omitting,  as  a  matter  of  prudence,  the  attempt  of 
Gi acorn o  Gradenigo  on  the  life  of  Don  Camillo. 
The  unpractised  and  single-hearted  girl  heard  him 
in  breathless  attention,  the  color  of  her  cheek,  and 
the  changeful  eye,  betraying  the  force  of  her  sym 
pathies,  at  each  turn  in  their  hazardous  adventure. 

"  And  dost  thou  'think  they  can  yet  escape  from 
those  up  above?"  murmured  Gelsomina,  for  few  in 
Venice  would  trust  their  voices,  by  putting  such  a 
question  aloud.  "  Thou  knowest  the  republic  hath 
at  all  times,  its  galleys  in  the  Adriatic !" 

"  We  have  had  thought  of  that,  and  the  Calabrian 
is  advised  to  steer  for  the  mole  of  Ancona.  Once 
within  the  States  of  the  Church,  the  influence  of 
Don  Camillo  and  the  rights  of  his  noble  wife  will 
protect  them.  Is  there  a  place  here,  whence  we 
can  look  out  upon  the  sea?" 

Gelsomina  led  the  Bravo  into  an  empty  room  of 
the  attic  which  commanded  a  view  of  the  port,  the 
Lido,  and  the  waste  of  water  beyond.  The  breeze 
came  in  strong  currents,  over  the  roofs  of  the 
town,  and  causing  the  masts  of  the  port  to  rock,  it 
lighted  on  the  Lagunes,  without  the  tiers  of  the 
shipping.  Frorn  this  point,  to  the  barrier  of  sand, 
it  was  apparent,  by  the  stooping  sails  and  the  strug 
gles  of  the  gondoliers  who  pulled  towards  the  quay, 
that  the  air  was  swift.  Without  the  Lido,  itself,  the 
element  was  shadowred  and  fitful,  while  farther  in 
the  distance,  the  troubled  wraters,  with  their  crests 
of  foam,  sufficiently  proved  iis  power. 

"Santa  Maria  be  praised!"  exclaimed  Jacopo, 


THE    BRAVO.  397 

when  his  understanding  eye  had  run  over  the  near 
and  distant  view — "  they  are  already  far  down  the 
coast,  and  with  a  wind  like  this  they  cannot  fail  to 
reach  their  haven,  in  a  few  hours. — Let  us  go  to 
the  cell." 

Gelsomina  smiled,  when  he  assured  her  of  the 
safety  of  the  fugitives,  but  her  look  saddened  when 
he  changed  the  discourse.  Without  reply,  how 
ever,  she  did  as  he  desired,  and  in  a  very  few  mo 
ments  they  were  standing  by  the  side  of  the  prison 
er's  pallet.  The  latter  did  not  appear  to  observe 
their  entrance,  and  Jacopo  was  obliged  to  announce 
himself. 

"Father!"  he  said,  with  that  melancholy  pathos 
which  always  crept  into  his  voice  when  he  address 
ed  the  old  man,  "  it  is  I." 

The  prisoner  turned,  and  though  evidently  much 
enfeebled,  since  the  last  visit,  a  wan  smile  gleamed 
on  his  wasted  features. 

"  And  thy  mother,  boy?"  he  asked,  so  eagerly  as 
to  cause  Gelsomina  to  turn  hastily  aside. 

"  Happy,  father — happy!" 

"  Happy  without  me  ?" 

"  She  is  ever  with  thee,  in  spirit,  father.  She 
thinks  of  thee  in  her  prayers.  Thou  hast  a  saint 
for  an  intercessor,  in  my  mother — father." 

"  And  thy  good  sister  1" 

"Happy  too — doubt  it  not,  father.  They  are 
both  patient  and  resigned." 

"The  senate, boy?" 

"  Is  the  same :  soulless,  selfish,  and  pretending ! 
answered  Jacopo  sternly;   then  turning  away  his 
face,  in  bitterness  of  heart,  though  without  permit 
ting  the  words  to  be  audible,  he  cursed  them. 

"  The  noble  Signori  were  deceived  in  believing 
me  concerned  in  the  attempt  to  rob  their  revenues," 
returned  the  patient  old  man ;  "  one  day  they  will 
see  and  acknowledge  their  error." 
2L 


398  THE  BRAVO. 

Jacopo  made  no  answer,  for,  unlettered  as  he 
was,  and  curtailed  of  that  knowledge  which  should 
be,  and  is,  bestowed  on  all,  by  every  paternal  gov 
ernment,  the  natural  strength  of  his  mind  had  ena 
bled  him  to  understand,  that  a  system,  which  on  its 
face  professed  to  be  founded  on  the  superior  ac 
quirements  of  a  privileged  few,  would  be  the  least 
likely  to  admit  the  fallacy  of  its  theories,  by  con 
fessing  it  could  err. 

•  Thou  dost  the  nobles  injustice,  son ;  they  are  il 
lustrious  patricians,  and  have  no  motive  in  oppress 
ing  one  like  me." 

"  None,  father,  but  the  necessity  of  maintaining 
the  severity  of  the  laws,  which  make  them  senators 
and  you  a  prisoner." 

"  Nay,  boy,  I  have  known  worthy  gentlemen  of 
the  senate !  There  was  the  late  signor  Tiepolo, 
who  did  me  much  favor  in  my  youth.  But  for  this 
false  accusation,  I  might  now  have  been  one  of 
the  most  thriving  of  my  craft  in  Venice." 

"  Father,  we  will  pray  for  the  soul  of  the  Tie- 
polo." 

"Is  the  senator  dead?" 

"  So  says  a  gorgeous  tomb  in  the  church  of  the 
Redentore." 

"  We  must  all  die  at  last,"  whispered  the  old  man, 
crossing  himself.  "  Doge  as  well  as  patrician — 
patrician  as  well  as  gondolier. — Jaco " 

"  Father ! "  exclaimed  the  Bravo,  so  suddenly  as 
to  interrupt  the  coming  word,  then  kneeling  by  the 
pallet  of  the  prisoner  he  whispered  in  his  ear,  "  thou 
forgettest  there  is  reason  why  thou  should'st  not 
call  me  by  that  name.  I  have  told  thee,  often,  that 
if  thus  called,  my  visits  must  stop." 

The  prisoner  looked  bewildered,  for  the  failing 
of  nature  rendered  that  obscure  which  was  once  so 
evident  to  his  mind.  After  gazing  long  at  his  son 


THE  BRAVO.  399 

La  eye  wandered  between  him  and  the  wall,  and 
he  smiled  childishly. 

"  Wilt  thou  look,  good  boy,  if  the  spider  is  come 
back?" 

Jacopo  groaned,  but  he  rose  to  comply. 

"  I  do  not  see  it,  father ;  the  season  is  not  yet 
warm." 

"  Not  warm !  my  veins  feel  heated  to  bursting. 
Thou  forgettest  this  is  the  attic,  and  that  these  are 
the  leads,  and  then  the  sun — oh  !  the  sun !  The  il 
lustrious  senators  do  not  bethink  them  of  the  pain 
of  passing  the  bleak  winter  below  the  canals,  and 
the  burning  summers  beneath  hot  metal." 

"  They  think  of  nothing  but  their  power,"  mur 
mured  Jacopo — "  that  which  is  wrongfully  obtain 
ed,  must  be  maintained  by  merciless  injustice — but 
why  should  we  speak  of  this,  father ;  hast  thou  all 
thy" body  needs'?" 

"  Air — son,  air  ! — give  me  of  that  air,  which  God 
has  made  for  the  meanest  living  thing." 

The  Bravo  rushed  towards  those  fissures  in  the 
venerable  but  polluted  pile,  he  had  already  striven 
to  open,  and  with  frantic  force  he  endeavored  to 
widen  them  with  his  hands.  The  material  resisted, 
though  blood  flowed  from  the  ends  of  his  fingers,  in 
the  desperate  effort. 

"  The  door,  Gelsomina,  open  wide  the  door  ! "  he 
cried,  turning  away  from  the  spot,  exhausted  with 
his  fruitless  exertions. 

"  Nay,  I  do  not  suffer  now,  my  child — it  is  when 
thou  hast  left  me,  and  when  1  am  alone  with  my 
own  thoughts,  when  I  see  thy  weeping  mother  and 
neglected  sister,  that  I  most  feel  the  want  of  air — 
are  we  not  in  the  fervid  month  of  August,  son  ? " 

"  Father,  it  is  not  yet  June." 

"  I  shall  then  have  more  heat  to  bear !  God's  will 
be  done,  and  blessed  Santa  Maria,  his  mother  un 
defiled ! — give  me  strength  to  endure  it." 


400  THE    BRAVO. 

The  eye  of  Jacopo  gleamed  with  a  wildness 
scarcely  less  frightful  than  the  ghastly  look  of  the 
old  man,  his  chest  heaved,  his  fingers  were  clench 
ed,  and  his  breathing  was  audible. 

"  No,"  he  said,  in  a  low,  but  in  so  determined  a 
voice,  as  to  prove  how  fiercely  his  resolution  was 
set,  "  thou  shalt  not  await  their  torments :  arise, 
father,  and  go  with  me.  The  doors  are  open,  the 
ways  of  the  palace  are  known  to  me,  in  the  darkest 
night,  and  the  keys  are  at  hand.  I  will  find  means 
to  conceal  thee  until  dark,  and  we  will  quit  the  ac 
cursed  republic  for  ever." 

Hope  gleamed  in  the  eye  of  the  old  captive,  as 
he  listened  to  this  frantic  proposal,  but  distrust  of 
the  means  immediately  altered  its  expression. 

"  Thou  forgettest  those  up  above,  son." 

"  I  think  only  of  One  truly  above,  father." 

"  And  this  girl — how  canst  thou  hope  to  deceive 
her?" 

"  She  will  take  thy  place — she  is  with  us  in  heart, 
and  will  lend  herself  to  a  seeming  violence.  I  do 
not  promise  for  thee,  idly,  kindest  Gelsomina  ? " 

The  frightened  girl,  who  had  never  before  wit 
nessed  so  plain  evidence  of  desperation  in  her  com 
panion,  had  sunk  upon  an  article  of  furniture,  speech 
less.  The  look  of  the  prisoner  changed  from  one 
to  the  other,  and  he  made  an  effort  to  rise,  but  de 
bility  caused  him  to  fall  backward,  and  not  till  then, 
did  Jacopo  perceive  the  impracticability,  on  many 
accounts,  of  what,  in  a  moment  of  excitement,  ho 
had  proposed.  A  long  silence  followed.  The  hard 
breathing  of  Jacopo  gradually  subsided,  and  the  ex 
pression  of  his  face  changed  to  its  customary,  set 
tled,  and  collected  look. 

"  Father,"  he  said,  "  I  must  quit  thee ;  our  misery 
draws  near  a  close." 

"  Thou  wilt  come  to  me  soon  again  ? " 

"  If  the  saints  permit — thy  blessing,  father." 


THE    BRA.VO.  401 

The  old  man  folded  his  hands  above  the  heaa 
of  Jacopo,  and  murmured  a  prayer.  When  this 
pious  duty  was  performed,  both  the  Bravo  and  Gel- 
somina  busied  themselves,  a  little  time,  in  contrib 
uting  to  the  bodily  comforts  of  the  prisoner,  and 
then  they  departed  in  company. 

Jacopo  appeared  unwilling  to  quit  the  vicinity  of 
the  cell.  A  melancholy  presentiment  seemed  to 
possess  his  mind,  that  these  stolen  visits  were  soon 
to  cease.  After  a  little  delay,  however,  they  de 
scended  to  the  apartments  below,  and  as  Jacopo 
desired  to  quit  the  palace,  without  re-entering  the 
prisons,  Gelsomina  prepared  to  let  him  out  by  the 
principal  corridor. 

"  Thou  art  sadder  than  common,  Carlo,"  she  ob 
served,  watching  with  feminine  assiduity  his  avert 
ed  eye.  "  Methinks  thou  should'st  rejoice  in  the 
fortunes  of  the  Neapolitan,  and  of  the  lady  of  the 
Tiepolo." 

"  That  escape  is  like  a  gleam  of  sunshine,  in  a 
wintry  day.  Good  girl — but  we  are  observed! 
why  is  yon  spy  on  our  movements  1 " 

"  'T  is  a  menial  of  the  palace ;  they  constantly 
cross  us  in  this  part  of  the  building :  come  hither,  if 
thou  art  weary.  The  room  is  little  used,  and  we 
may  again  look  out  upon  the  sea." 

Jacopo  followed  his  mild  conductor  into  one  of 
the  neglected  closets  of  the  second  floor,  where,  in 
truth,  he  was  glad  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  state 
of  things  in  the  piazza,  before  he  left  the  palace. 
His  first  look  was  at  the  water,  which  was  still 
rolling  southward,  before  the  gale  from  the  Alps. 
Satisfied  with  this  prospect,  he  bent  his  eye  beneath 
At  the  instant,  an  officer  of  the  republic  issued  from 
the  palace  gate,  preceded  by  a  trumpeter,  as  was 
usual,  when  there  was  occasion  to  make  public  pro 
clamation  of  the  senate's  will.  Gelsomina  opened 
the  casement,  and  both  leaned  forward  to  listen, 
2L2 


402  THE    BRAVO. 

When  the  little  procession  had  reached  the  front  of 
the  cathedral,  the  trumpet  sounded,  and  the  voice  of 
the  officer  was  heard. 

"  Whereas  many  wicked  and  ruthless  assassina 
tions  have  of  late  been  committed  on  the  persons  of 
divers  good  citizens  of  Venice," — he  proclaimed — 
"  the  senate,  in  its  fatherly  care  of  all  whom  it  is 
charged  to  protect,  has  found  reason  to  resort  tc 
extraordinary  means  of  preventing  the  repetition  of 
crimes  so  contrary  to  the  laws  of  God  and  the  secu 
rity  of  society.  The  Illustrious  Ten  therefore  offer, 
thus  publicly,  a  reward  of  one  hundred  sequins  to 
him  who  shall  discover  the  perpetrator  of  any  of 
these  most  horrible  assassinations;  and,  whereas, 
during  the  past  night,  the  body  of  a  certain  Antonio, 
a  well-known  fisherman,  and  a  worthy  citizen,  much 
esteemed  by  the  patricians,  has  been  found  in  the 
Lagunes,  and,  whereas,  there  is  but  too  much  reason 
to  believe  that  he  has  come  to  his  death  by  the  hands 
of  a  certain  Jacopo  Frontoni,  who  has  the  reputation 
of  a  common  Bravo,  but  who  has  been  long  watch 
ed,  in  vain,  by  the  authorities,  with  the  hope  of  de 
tecting  him  in  the  commission  of  some  one  of  the 
aforesaid  horrible  assassinations ;  now,  all  good  and 
honest  citizens  of  the  republic  are  enjoined  to  assist 
the  authorities  in  seizing  the  person  of  the  said  Ja 
copo  Frontoni,  even  though  he  should  take  sanctua 
ry  :  for  Venice  can  no  longer  endure  the  presence 
of  one  of  his  sanguinary  habits,  and  for  the  encour 
agement  of  the  same,  the  senate,  in  its  paternal  care, 
offers  the  reward  of  three  hundred  sequins."  The 
usual  words  of  prayer  and  sovereignty  closed  the 
proclamation. 

As  it  was  not  usual  for  those  who  ruled  so  much 
in  the  dark,  to  make  their  intentions  public,  all  near 
listened,  with  wonder  and  awe,  to  the  novel  proce 
dure.  Some  trembled,  lest  the  mysterious  and 
much-dreaded  power  was  about  to  exhibit  itself; 


THE  BRAVO.  403 

while  most  found  means  of  making  their  admiration 
of  the  fatherly  interest  of  their  rulers  audible. 

None  heard  the  words  of  the  officer  with  more 
feeling  than  Gelsomina.  She  bent  her  body  far 
from  the  window,  in  order  that  not  a  syllable  should 
escape  her. 

"Did'st  thou  hear,  Carlo?"  demanded  the  eager 
girl,  as  she  drew  back  her  head ;  "  they  proclaim,  at 
last,  money  for  the  monster  who  has  committed  so 
many  murders!" 

Jacopo  laughed ;  but  to  the  ears  of  his  startled 
companion  the  sounds  were  unnatural. 

"  The  patricians  are  just,  and  what  they  do  is 
right,"  he  said.  "  They  are  of  illustrious  birth,  and 
cannot  err !  They  will  do  their  duty." 

"  But  here  is  no  other  duty  than  that  they  owe  tc 
God,  and  to  the  people." 

"  I  have  heard  of  the  duty  of  the  people,  but  little 
is  said  of  the  senate's." 

"  Nay,  Carlo,  we  will  not  refuse  them  credit  when 
in  truth  they  seek  to  keep  the  citizens  from  harm. 
This  Jacopo  is  a  monster,  detested  by  all,  and  his 
bloody  deeds  have  too  long  been  a  reproach  to 
Venice.  .  Thou  hearest  that  the  patricians  are  not 
niggard  of  their  gold,  when  there  is  hope  of  his  being 
taken. — Listen!  they  proclaim  again!" 

The  trumpet  sounded,  and  the  proclamation  was 

jpeated  between  the  granite columnsof  the Piazzetta, 
and  quite  near  to  the  window  occupied  by  Gelsomina 
and  her  unmoved  companion. 

"Why  dost  thou  mask,  Carlo?"  she  asked,  when 
the  officer  had  done ;  "  it  is  not  usual  to  be  disguised, 
in  the  palace,  at  this  hour." 

"  They  will  believe  it  the  doge,  blushing  to  be  a 
auditor  of  his  owrn  liberal  justice,  or  they  may  mis- 
iake  me  for  one  of  the  Three,  itself." 

"  They  go  by  the  quay  to  the  arsenal ;  thence  they 
will  take  boat,  as  is  customary,  for  the  Rialto." 


404  THE  BRAVO. 

"  Thereby  giving  this  redoubtable  Jacopo  timely 
notice  to  secrete  himself!  Your  judges  up  above  are 
mysterious  when  they  should  be  open,  and  open  when 
they  should  be  secret.  I  must  quit  thee,  Gelsomina , 
go,  then,  back  to  the  room  of  thy  father,  and  leave 
me  to  pass  out  by  the  court  of  the  palace." 

"  It  may  not  be,  Carlo — thou  knowest  the  permis 
sion  of  the  authorities — I  have  exceeded — why  should 
[  wish  to  conceal  it  from  thee — but,  it  was  not  per 
mitted  to  thee  to  enter  at  this  hour." 

"  And  thou  hast  had  the  courage  to  transgress  the 
leave,  for  my  sake,  Gelsomina?" 

The  abashed  girl  hung  her  head,  and  the  color 
which  glowed  about  her  temples  was  like  the  rosy 
light  of  her  own  Italy. 

"  Thou  would'st  have  it  so,"  she  said. 

"  A  thousand  thanks,  dearest,  kindest,  truest  Gel 
somina;  but  doubt  not  my  being  able  to  leave  the 
palace  unseen.  The  danger  was  in  entering.  They 
who  go  forth,  do  it  with  the  air  of  having  authority." 

"  None  pass  the  halberdiers  masked  by  day,  Carlo, 
but  they  who  have  the  secret  word." 

The  Bravo  appeared  struck  with  this  truth,  and 
there  was  great  embarrassment  expressed  in  his 
manner.  The  terms  of  his  admittance  were  so  well 
understood  to  himself,  that  he  distrusted  the  expedi 
ency  of  attempting  to  get  upon  the  quays  by  the 
prison,  the  way  he  had  entered,  since  he  had  little 
doubt  that  his  retreat  would  be  intercepted  by  those 
who  kept  the  outer  gate,  and  who  were  probably,  by 
this  time,  in  the  secret  of  his  true  character.  It  now 
appeared  that  egress  by  the  other  route  was  equally 
hazardous.  He  had  not  been  surprised  so  much  by 
the  substance  of  the  proclamation,  as  by  the  publicity 
the  senate  had  seen  fit  to  give  to  its  policy, — and  he 
had  heard  himself  denounced,  with  a  severe  pang, 
it  is  true,  but  without  terror.  Still  he  had  so  many 
means  of  disguise,  and  the  practice  of  personal  con 


THE    BRAVO.  405 

»v»  &o  general  in  Venice,  that  he  nad  en 
tertained  no  3 'eat  distrust  of  the  result  until  he  now 
found  himself  in  this  awkward  dilemma.  Gelsomina 
read  his  indecision  in  his  eye,  and  regretted  that  she 
should  have  caused  him  so  much  uneasiness. 

"  It  is  not  so  bad  as  thou  seemest  to  think,  Carlo,  * 
she  observed ;  "  they  have  permitted  thee  to  visit  thy 
father,  at  stated  hours,  and  the  permission  is  a  proof 
that  the  senate  is  not  without  pity.  Now  that  I,  to 
oblige  thy  wishes,  have  forgotten  one  of  their  in 
junctions,  they  will  not  be  so  hard  of  heart  as  to 
visit  the  fault  as  a  crime." 

Jacopo  gazed  at  her  with  pity,  for  well  did  he 
understand  how  little  she  knew  of  the  real  nature 
and  wily  policy  of  the  state. 

"  It  is  time  that  we  should  part,"  he  said,  "  lest 
thy  innocence  should  be  made  to  pay  the  price  of 
my  mistake.  I  am  now  near  the  public  corridor, 
and  must  trust  to  my  fortune  to  gain  the  quay." 

Gelsomina  hung  upon  his  arm,  unwilling  to  trust 
him  to  his  own  guidance  in  that  fearful  building. 

"  It  will  not  do,  Carlo ;  thou  wilt  stumble  on  a 
soldier,  and  thy  fault  will  be  known ;  perhaps  they 
will  refuse  to  let  thee  come  again;  perhaps  alto 
gether  shut  the  door  of  thy  poor  father's  cell." 

Jacopo  made  a  gesture  for  her  to  lead  the  way, 
and  followed.  With  a  beating  but  still  lightened 
heart,  Gelsomina  glided  along  the  passages,  care 
fully  locking  each  door,  as  of  wont,  behind  her, 
when  she  had  passed  through  it.  At  length  thev 
reached  the  well-known  Bridge  of  Sighs.  The 
anxious  girl^went  on  with  a  lighter  step,  when  she 
found  herself  approaching  her  own  abode,  for  she 
was  busy  In  planning  the  means  of  concealing  hei 
companion  in  her  father's  rooms,  should  there  be 
hazard  in  his  passing  out  of  the  prison  during  the 
day. 

"  But  a  single  minute,  Carlo,"  she  whispered,  ap 


406  THE   BRAVO. 

plying  the  key  to  the  door  which  opened  into  tha 
latter  building — the  lock  yielded,  but  the  hinges  re 
fused  to  turn.  Gelsomina  paled  as  she  added — • 
"  They  have  drawn  the  bolts  within  !" 

"  No  matter  ;  I  will  go  down  by  the  court  of  the 
palace,  and  boldly  pass  the  halberdier  unmasked." 

Gelsomina,  after  all,  saw  but  little  risk  of  his  be 
ing  known  by  the  mercenaries  who  served  the  doge, 
and,  anxious  to  relieve  him  from  so  awkward  a  po 
sition,  she  flew  back  to  the  other  end  of  the  galle 
ry.  Another  key  was  applied  to  the  door  by  which 
they  had  just  entered,  with  the  same  result.  Gel 
somina  staggered  back,  and  sought  support  against 
the  wall. 

"We  can  neither  return  nor  proceed!"  she  ex 
claimed,  frightened  she  knew  not  why. 

"  I  see  it  all,"  answered  Jacopo,  "  we  are  prison 
ers  on  the  fatal  bridge." 

As  he  spoke,  the  Bravo  calmly  removed  his  mask, 
and  showed  the  countenance  of  a  man  whose  reso 
lution  was  at  its  height. 

"  Santa  Madre  di  Dio !  what  can  it  mean  ?" 

"  That  we  have  passed  here  once  too  often,  love. 
The  council  is  tender  of  these  visits." 

The  bolts  of  both  doors  grated,  and  the  hinges 
creaked  at  the  same  instant.  An  officer  of  the  in 
quisition  entered  armed,  and  bearing  manacles.  Gel 
somina  shrieked,  but  Jacopo  moved  not  limb  or 
muscle,  while  he  was  fettered  and  chained. 

"  I  too !"  cried  his  frantic  companion.  "  I  am  the 
most  guilty — bind  me — cast  me  into  a  cell,  but  let 
poor  Carlo  go." 

"  Carlo!"  echoed  an  officer,  laughing  unfeelingly. 

"  Is  it  such  a  crime  to  seek  a  father  in  his  prison ! 
They  knew  of  his  visits — they  permitted  them — he 
has  only  mistaken  the  hour." 

"  Girl,  dost  thou  know  for  whom  thou  pleadest?" 
'  For  the  kindest  heart — the  most  faithful  son  in 


THE    BRAVO.  407 

Venice!  Oh!  if  ye  had  seen  him  weep  as  I  have 
done,  over  the  sufferings  of  the  old  captive — if  ye 
had  seen  his  very  form  shivering  in  agony,  ye  would 
have  pity  on  him ! " 

"  Listen ;"  returned  the  officer,  raising  a  finger 
for  attention. 

The  trumpeter  sounded  on  the  bridge  of  St. 
Mark,  immediately  beneath  them,  and  proclamation 
was  again  made,  offering  gold  for  the  arrest  of  the 
Bravo. 

"  'Tis  the  officer  of  the  republic,  bidding  for  the 
head  of  one  who  carries  a  common  stiletto,"  cried 
the  half-breathless  Gelsomina,  who  little  heeded  the 
ceremony  at  that  instant ;  "  he  merits  his  fate." 

"  Then  why  resist  it  ? " 

"  Ye  speak  without  meaning  ! " 

"  Doting  girl,  this  is  Jacopo  Frontoni ! " 

Gelsomina  would  have  disbelieved  her  ears,  but 
for  the  anguished  expression  of  Jacopo's  eye.  The 
horrible  truth  burst  upon  her  mind,  and  she  fell  life 
less.  At  that  moment  the  Bravo  was  hurried  from 
the  bridge. 


CHAPTEK  XXVIII. 

"  Let  us  lift  up  the  curtain,  and  observe 
What  passes  in  that  chamber." 

ROGERS. 

THERE  were  many  rumors,  uttered  in  the  fearful 
and  secret  manner  which  characterized  the  man 
ners  of  the  town,  in  the  streets  of  Venice  tnat  day. 
Hundreds  passed  near  the  granite  columns,  as  if 
they  expected  to  see  the  Bravo  occupying  his  ac 
customed  stand,  in  audacious  defiance  of  the  pro- 


408  THE   BRAVO. 

clamation,  for  so  long  and  so  mysteriously,  had  he, 
been  permitted  to  appear  in  public,  that  men  had 
difficulty  in  persuading  themselves  he  would  quit 
his  habits  so  easily.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the 
vague  expectation  was  disappointed.  Much  was 
also  said,  vauntingly,  in  behalf  of  the  republic's  jus 
tice,  for  the  humbled  are  bold  enough  in  praising 
their  superiors;  and  he,  who  had  been  dumb  for 
years,  on  subjects  of  a  public  nature,  now  found  his 
voice  like  a  fearless  freeman. 

But  the  day  passed  away  without  any  new  oc 
currence  to  call  the  citizens  from  their  pursuits. 
The  prayers  for  the  dead  were  continued,  with  lit 
tle  intermission,  and  masses  were  said  before  the 
altars  of  half  the  churches,  for  the  repose  of  the 
fisherman's  soul.  His  comrades,  a  little  distrustful, 
but  greatly  gratified,  watched  the  ceremonies  with 
jealousy  and  exultation  singularly  blended.  Ere 
the  night  set  in,  again,  they  were  among  the  most 
obedient  of  those  the  oligarchy  habitually  trod  upon; 
for  such  is  the  effect  of  this  species  of  domination, 
that  it  acquires  a  power  to  appease,  by  its  flattery, 
the  very  discontents,  created  by  its  injustice.  Such 
is  the  human  mind :  a  factitious  but  deeply-seated 
sentiment  of  respect  is  created  by  the  habit  of  sub 
mission,  which  gives  the  subject  of  its  influence  a 
feeling  of  atonement,  when  he  who  has  long  played 
the  superior  comes  down  from  his  stilts,  and  con 
fesses  the  community  of  human  frailties  ! 

The  square  of  St.  Mark  filled  at  the  usual  hour, 
the  patricians  deserted  the  Broglio  as  of  wont,  and 
the  gaities  of  the  place  were  again  uppermost,  be 
fore  the  clock  had  struck  the  second  hour  of  the 
night.  Gondolas,  filled  with  noble  dames,  appeared 
on  the  canals;  the  blinds  of  the  palaces  were  raised 
for  the  admission  of  the  sea-breeze; — and  music 
began  to  be  heard  in  the  port,  on  the  bridges,  and 
nnder  the  balconies  of  the  fair.  The  course  of  so 


THE  BRAVO  409 

ciety  was  not  to  be  arrested,  merely  because  the 
wronged  were  unavenged,  or  the  innocent  suffered. 

There  stood,  then,  on  the  grand  canal,  as  there 
stand  now,  many  palaces  of  scarcely  less  than  royal 
magnificence.  The  reader  has  had  occasion  to  be 
come  acquainted  with  one  or  two  of  these  splendid 
edifices,  and  it  has  now  become  our  duty  to  convey 
him,  in  imagination,  to  another. 

The  peculiarity  of  construction,  which  is  a  con 
sequence  of  the  watery  site  of  Venice,  gives  the 
same  general  character  to  all  the  superior  dwellings 
of  that  remarkable  town.  The  house  to  which  the 
thread  of  the  narrative  now  leads  us,  had  its  water- 
gate,  its  vestibule,  its  massive  marble  stairs,  its 
inner  court,  its  magnificent  suites  of  rooms  above, 
its  pictures,  its  lustres,  and  its  floors  of  precious 
stones  embedded  in  composition,  like  all  those  which 
we  have  already  found  it  necessary  to  describe. 

The  hour  w^as  ten,  according  to  our  own  manner 
of  computing  time.  A  small,  but  lovely  family  pic 
ture  presented  itself,  deep  within  the  walls  of  the 
patrician  abode,  to  which  wre  have  alluded.  There 
was  a  father,  a  gentleman  who  had  scarce  attained 
the  middle  age,  with  an  eye  in  which  spirit,  intelli 
gence,  philanthropy,  and,  at  that  moment,  paternal 
fondness  were  equally  glowing.  He  tossed  in  his 
arms,  with  parental  pride,  a  laughing  urchin  of 
some  three  or  four  years,  who  rioted  in  the  amuse 
ment  which  brought  him,  and  the  author  of  his  be 
ing,  for  a  time,  seemingly  on  a  level.  A  fair  Vene 
tian  dame,  with  golden  locks,  and  glowing  cheeks, 
such  as  Titian  loved  to  paint  her  sex,  reclined  on  a 
couch  nigh  by,  following  the  movements  of  both, 
with  the  joint  feelings  of  mother  and  wife,  and 
laughing  in  pure  sympathy  with  the  noisy  merri 
ment  of  her  young  hope.  A  girl,  who  was  the 
outhful  image  of  herself,  with  tresses  that  fell  to 
er  waist,  romped  with  a  crowing  infant,  whose 
2  M 


410  THE    BRAVO. 

age  was  so  tender  as  scarcely  to  admit  the  uncer 
tain  evidence  of  its  intelligence.  Such  was  the 
scene  as  the  clock  of  the  piazza  told  the  hour 
Struck  with  the  sound,  the  father  set  down  the  boy 
and  consulted  his  watch. 

"  Dost  thou  use  thy  gondola  to-night,  love  ? "  he 
demanded. 

"Withthee,  Paolo?" 

"  Not  with  me,  dearest ;  I  have  affairs  which  will 
employ  me  until  twelve ! " 

"  Nay,  thou  art  given  to  cast  me  off,  when  thy 
caprices  are  wayward." 

"  Say  not  so.  I  have  named  to-night  for  an  in 
terview  with  my  agent,  and  I  know  thy  maternal 
heart  too  well,  to  doubt  thy  being  willing  to  spare 
me  for  that  time,  while  I  look  to  the  interests  of 
these  dear  ones." 

The  Donna  Giulietta  rang  for  her  mantle  and  at 
tendants.  The  crowing  infant  and  the  noisy  boy 
were  dismissed  to  their  beds,  while  the  lady  and  the 
eldest  child  descended  to  the  gondola.  Donna  Giu 
lietta  was  not  permitted  to  go  unattended  to  her 
boat,  for  this  was  a  family  in  which  the  inclinations 
had  fortunately  seconded  the  ordinary  calculations 
of  interest,  when  the  nuptial  knot  was  tied.  Her 
husband  kissed  her  hand,  fondly,  as  he  assisted  her 
into  the  gondola,  and  the  boat  had  glided  some  dis 
tance  from  the  palace,  ere  he  quitted  the  moist 
stones  of  the  water-gate. 

"  Hast  thou  prepared  the  cabinet  for  my  friends?" 
demanded  the  Signor  Soranzo,  for  it  was  the  same 
senator  who  had  been  in  company  with  the  doge, 
when  the  latter  went  to  meet  the  fishermen. 

"  Signore,  si." 

'•  And  the  quiet,  and  the  lights — as  ordered  ?  " 

4  Eccellenza,  all  will  be  done." 

"  Thou  hast  placed  seats  for  six — we  shall  be 


THE   BRAVO.  411 

"  Signore,  there  are  six  armed  chairs." 

"  'Tis  well :  when  the  first  of  my  friends  arrive, 
i  will  join  them." 

"  Eccellenza,  there  are  already  two  cavaliers  in 
masks,  within." 

The  Signor  Soranzo  started,  again  consulted  his 
watch,  and  went  hastily  towards  a  distant,  and  very 
silent,  part  of  the  palace.  He  reached  a  small  door 
unattended,  and,  closing  it,  found  himself  at  once 
in  the  presence  of  those  who  evidently  awaited  his 
appearance. 

"  A  thousand  pardons,  Signori,"  cried  the  master 
of  the  house ;  "  this  is  novel  duty  to  me,  at  least 
— I  know  not  what  may  be  your  honorable  expe 
rience — and  the  time  stole  upon  me  unmarked.  I 
pray  for  grace,  Messires ;  future  diligence  shall  re 
pair  the  present  neglect." 

Both  the  visitors  were  older  men  than  their  host, 
and  it  was  quite  evident  by  their  hardened  visages 
they  were  of  much  longer  practice  in  the  world. 
His  excuses  were  received  with  courtesy,  and,  for 
a  little  time,  the  discourse  was  entirely  of  usage  and 
convention. 

"  We  are  in  secret  here,  Signore  1 "  asked  one  of 
the  guests,  after  some  little  time  had  been  wasted  in 
this  manner. 

"  As  the  tomb.  None  enter  here  unbidden,  but 
my  wife,  and  she  has,  this  moment,  taken  boat,  for 
better  enjoyment  of  the  evening." 

"  The  world  gives  you  credit,  Signor  Soranzo, 
for  a  happy  menage.  I  hope  you  have  duly  consid 
ered  the  necessity  of  shutting  the  door,  even  against 
the  Donna  Giulietta  to-night?" 

"  Doubt  me  not,  Signore  ;  the  affairs  of  St.  Mark 
are  paramount." 

"  I  feel  myself  thrice  happy,  Signori,  that  in  draw 
ing  a  lot  for  the  secret  council,  my  good  fortune 
hath  given  me  so  excellent  colleagues.  Believe  me. 


412  THE   BRAVO. 

I  have  discharged  this  awful  trust,  in  my  day,  in 
less  agreeable  company." 

This  flattering  speech,  which  the  wily  old  senator 
had  made  regularly  to  all  with  whom  chance  had 
associated  him  in  the  inquisition,  during  a  long  life, 
was  well  received,  and  it  was  returned  with  equal 
compliments. 

"  It  would  appear  that  the  worthy  Signor  Ales- 
sandro  Gradenigo  was  one  of  our  predecessors,"  he 
continued,  looking  at  some  papers ;  for  though  the 
actual  three  were  unknown,  at  the  time  being,  to  all, 
but  a  few  secretaries  and  officers  of  the  state,  Ve 
netian  policy  transmitted  their  names  to  their  suc 
cessors,  as  a  matter  of  course, — "  a  noble  gentle 
man,  and  one  of  great  devotion  to  the  state ! " 

The  others  assented,  like  men  accustomed  to  speak 
with  caution. 

"  We  were  about  to  have  entered  on  our  duties 
at  a  troublesome  moment,  Signori,"  observed  an 
other.  "  But  it  would  seem  that  this  tumult  of  the 
fishermen  has  already  subsided.  I  understand  the 
knaves  had  some  reason  for  their  distrust  of  the 
state ! " 

"It  is  an  affair  happily  settled,"  answered  the 
senior  of  the  three,  who  was  long  practised  in  the 
expediency  of  forgetting  all  that  policy  required 
should  cease  to  be  remembered,  after  the  object  was 
attained.  "  The  galleys  must  be  manned,  else  would 
St.  Mark  quickly  hang  his  head  in  shame." 

The  Signor  Soranzo,  who  had  received  some 
previous  instruction  in  his  new  duties,  looked  melan 
choly;  but  he,  too,  was  merely  the  creature  of  a 
system. 

"  Is  there  matter  of  pressing  import  for  our  re 
flection  1 "  he  demanded. 

"  Signori,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  the 
state  has  just  sustained  a  grievous  loss.  Ye  both 
well  know  the  heiress  of  Tiepolo,  by  reputation  a* 


THE    BRAVO.  413 

least,  though  her  retired  manner  of  life  may  have 
kept  you  from  her  company." 

"  Donna  Giulietta  is  eloquent  in  praise  of  her  beau 
ty  ;"  said  the  young  husband. 

"  We  had  not  a  better  fortune  in  Venice,"  rejoined 
the  third  inquisitor. 

"Excellent  in  qualities,  and  better  in  riches,  as 
she  is,  I  fear  we  have  lost  her,  Signori !  Don  Ca- 
millo  Monforte,  whom  God  protect  until  we  have  no 
future  use  for  his  influence !  had  come  near  to  pre 
vail  against  us  ;  but  just  as  the  state  baffled  his  well- 
laid  schemes,  the  lady  has  been  thrown  by  hazard 
into  the  hands  of  the  rioters,  since  which  time  there 
is  no  account  of  her  movements !" 

Paolo  Soranzo  secretly  hoped  she  was  in  the 
arms  of  the  Neapolitan. 

"  A  secretary  has  communicated  to  me  the  dis 
appearance  of  the  Duca  di  Sant'  Agata,  also,"  ob 
served  the  third, — "  nor  is  the  felucca,  usually  em 
ployed  in  distant  and  delicate  missions,  any  longer 
at  her  anchors." 

The  two  old  men  regarded  each  other,  as  if  the 
truth  was  beginning  to  dawn  upon  their  suspicions. 
They  saw  that  the  case  was  hopeless,  and  as  theirs 
was  altogether  a  practical  duty,  no  time  was  lost  in 
useless  regrets. 

"  We  have  two  affairs  which  press,"  observed  the 
elder.—"  The  body  of  the  old  fisherman  must  be 
laid  quietly  in  the  earth,  with  as  little  risk  of  future 
tumult,  as  may  be— and  we  have  this  notorious  Ja- 
copo  to  dispose  of." 

"  The  latter  must  first  be  taken ;"  said  the  Signoi 
Soranzo. 

"  That  has  been  done  already.  Would  you  think 
it,  Sirs !  he  was  seized  in  the  very  palace  of  the 
doge!" 

"  To  the  block  with  him,  without  delay !" 

The  old  men  again  looked  at  each  other,  and  it 
2M2 


414  THE   BRAVO. 

was  quite  apparent  that,  as  both  of  them  had  been 
in  previous  councils,  they  had  a  secret  intelligence, 
to  which  their  companion  was  yet  a  stranger. 
There  was  also  visible  in  their  glances,  something 
like  a  design  to  manage  his  feelings,  before  they 
came  more  openly  to  the  graver  practices  of  their 
duties. 

"  For  the  sake  of  blessed  St.  Mark,  Signon,  let 
justice  be  done  openly  in  this  instance!"  continued 
the  unsuspecting  member  of  the  Three.  "What 
pity  can  the  bearer  of  a  common  stiletto  claim  ?  and 
what  more  lovely  exercise  of  our  authority  than  to 
make  public  an  act  of  severe  and  much-required 
justice?" 

The  old  senators  bowed  to  this  sentiment  of  their 
colleague,  which  was  uttered  with  the  fervor  of 
young  experience,  and  the  frankness  of  an  upright 
mind;  for  there  is  a  conventional  acquiescence  in 
received  morals,  which  is  permitted,  in  semblance  at 
least,  to  adorn  the  most  tortuous. 

"It  may  be  well,  Signore  Soranzo,  to  do  this 
homage  to  the  right,"  returned  the  elder.  "  Here 
have  been  sundry  charges  found  in  different  lions' 
mouths,  against  the  Neapolitan,  Signor  Don  Camillo 
Monforte.  I  leave  it  to  your  wisdom,  my  illustrious 
colleagues,  to  decide  on  their  character." 

"  An  excess  of  malice  betrays  its  own  origin," 
exclaimed  the  least-practised  member  of  the  Inqui 
sition.  "My  life  on  it,  Signori,  these  accusations 
come  of  private  spleen,  and  are  unworthy  of  the 
stdle's  attention.  I  have  consorted  much  with  the 
young  lord  of  Sant'  Agata,  and  a  more  worthy  gen 
tleman  does  not  dwell  among  us." 

"  Still  hath  he  designs  on  the  hand  of  old  Tiepolo's 
daughter ! " 

"  Is  it  a  crime  in  youth  to  seek  beauty  ?  He  did 
great  service  to  the  lady,  in  her  need,  and  that  youth 
should  feel  these  sympathies  is  nothing  strange." 


THE  BRAVO  415 

"Venice  hath  her  sympathies,  as  well  as  the 
youngest  of  us  all,  Signore." 

fc  But  Venice  cannot  wed  the  heiress ! " 

"  True.  St.  Mark  must  be  satisfied  with  playing 
the  prudent  father's  part.  You  are  yet  young,  Sig 
nore  Soranzo,  and  the  Donna  Giulietta  is  of  rare 
beauty !  As  life  wears  upon  ye  both,  ye  will  see  the 
fortunes  of  kingdoms,  as  well  as  families,  differently. 
But  we  waste  our  breath  uselessly  in  this  matter, 
since  our  agents  have  not  yet  reported  their  success 
in  the  pursuit.  The  most  pressing  affair,  just  now, 
is  the  disposition  of  the  Bravo.  Hath  his  highness 
shown  you  the  letter  of  the  sovereign  pontiff,  in  the 
question  of  the  intercepted  dispatches,  Signore?" 

"  He  hath.  A  fair  answer  was  returned  by  our 
predecessors,  and  it  must  rest  there." 

"  We  will  then  look  freely  into  the  matter  of 
Jacopo  Frontoni.  There  will  be  necessity  of  our 
assembling  in  the  chamber  of  the  Inquisition,  that 
we  may  have  the  prisoner  confronted  to  his  accusers. 
'Tis  a  "grave  trial,  Signori,  and  Venice  would  lose  in 
men's  estimation,  were  not  the  highest  tribunal  to 
take  an  interest  in  its  decision." 

"  To  the  block  with  the  villain !"  again  exclaimed 
the  Signor  Soranzo. 

"  He  may  haply  meet  with  that  fate,  or  even  with 
the  punishment  of  the  wheel.  A  mature  examina 
tion  will  enlighten  us  much  on  the  course,  which 
policy  may  dictate." 

"  There  can  be  but  one  policy  when  the  protection 
of  the  lives  of  our  citizens  is  in  question.  I  have 
never  before  felt  impatience  to  shorten  the  life  of 
man,  but  in  this  trial  I  can  scarce  brook  delay." 

"  Your  honorable  impatience  shall  be  gratified, 
Signor  Soranzo ;  for,  foreseeing  the  urgency  of  the 
case,  my  colleague,  the  worthy  senator,  who  is  join 
ed  with  us  in  this  high  duty,  and  myself,  have  already 
issued  the  commands  necessary  to  that  object.  The 


416  THE    BRAVO. 

hour  is  near,  and  we  will  repair  to  the  chambei  of 
the  Inquisition  in  time  to  our  duty." 

The  discourse  then  turned  on  subjects  of  a  more 
general  concern.  This  secret  and  extraordinary 
tribunal,  which  was  obliged  to  confine  its  meetings 
to  no  particular  place,  which  could  decide  on  its 
decrees  equally  in  the  Piazza,  or  the  palace,  amidst 
the  revelries  of  the  masquerade,  or  before  the  altar ; 
in  the  assemblies  of  the  gay,  or  in  their  own  closets, 
had  of  necessity  much  ordinary  matter  submitted  to 
its  inspection.  As  the  chances  of  birth  entered  into 
its  original  composition, — and  God  hath  not  made 
all  alike  fit  for  so  heartless  a  duty, — it  sometimes 
happened,  as  in  the  present  instance,  that  the  more 
worldly  of  its  members  had  to  overcome  the  gener 
ous  disposition  of  a  colleague,  before  the  action  of 
the  terrible  machine  could  go  on. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  communities  always 
establish  a  higher  standard  of  justice  and  truth,  than 
is  exercised  by  their  individual  members.  The  rea 
son  is  not  to  be  sought  for,  since  nature  hath  left  to 
all  a  perception  of  that  right,  which  is  abandoned 
only  under  the  stronger  impulses  of  personal  tempt 
ation.  We  commend  the  virtue  we  cannot  imitate. 
Thus  it  is  that  those  countries,  in  which  public  opinion 
has  most  influence,  are  always  of  the  purest  public 
practice.  It  follows  as  a  corollary  from  this  propo 
sition,  that  a  representation  should  be  as  real  as  pos 
sible,  for  its  tendency  will  be  inevitably  to  elevate 
national  morals.  Miserable,  indeed,  is  the  condition 
of  that  people,  whose  maxims  and  measures  of  public 
policy  are  below  the  standard  of  its  private  integri 
ty,  for  the  fact  not  only  proves  it  is  not  the  master 
of  its  own  destinies,  but  the  still  more  dangerous 
truth,  that  the  collective  power  is  employed  in  the 
fatal  service  of  undermining  those  very  qualities 
which  are  necessary  to  virtue,  and  which  have 
enough  to  do,  at  all  times,  in  resisting  the  attacks  of 


THE   BRAVO.  417 

immediate  selfishness.  A  strict  legal  representation 
of  all  its  interests  is  far  more  necessary  to  a  worldly 
than  to  a  simple  people,  since  responsibility,  which 
is  the  essence  of  a  free  government,  is  more  likely 
to  keep  the  agents  of  a  nation  near  to  its  own  stand 
ard  of  virtue  than  any  other  means.  The  common 
opinion  that  a  republic  cannot  exist,  without  an  ex 
traordinary  degree  of  virtue  in  its  citizens,  is  so  flat 
tering  to  our  own  actual  condition,  that  we  seldom 
take  the  trouble  to  inquire  into  its  truth ;  but,  to  us, 
it  seems  quite  apparent  that  effect  is  here  mistaken 
for  the  cause.  It  is  said,  as  the  people  are  virtually 
masters  in  a  republic,  that  the  people  ought  to  be 
virtuous  to  rule  well.  So  far  as  this  proposition  is 
confined  to  degrees,  it  is  just  as  true  of  a  republic  as 
of  any  other  form  of  government.  But  kings  do 
rule,  and  surely  all  have  riot  been  virtuous ;  and  that 
aristocracies  have  ruled  with  the  very  minimum  of 
that  quality,  the  subject  of  our  tale  sufficiently  shows. 
That,  other  things  being  equal,  the  citizens  of  a  re 
public  will  have  a  higher  standard  of  private  virtue 
than  the  subjects  of  any  other  form  of  government, 
is  true  as  an  effect,  we  can  readily  believe,  for  re 
sponsibility  to  public  opinion  existing  in  all  the 
branches  of  its  administration,  that  conventional 
morality,  which  characterizes  the  common  senti 
ment,  will  be  left  to  act  on  the  mass,  and  will  not  be 
perverted  into  a  terrible  engine  of  corruption,  as  is 
the  case  when  factitious  institutions  give  a  false 
direction  to  its  influence. 

The  case  before  us  was  in  proof  of  the  truth  of 
what  has  here  been  said.  The  Signor  Soranzo 
was  a  man  of  great  natural  excellence  of  charac 
ter,  and  the  charities  of  his  domestic  circle  had  as 
sisted  in  confirming  his  original  dispositions.  Like 
others  of  his  rank  and  expectations,  he  had,  from 
time  to  time,  made  the  history  and  polity  of  the 
self-styled  republic  his  study,  and  the  power  of  col 


418  THE  BRAVO. 

lective  interests  and  specious  necessities  had  made 
him  admit  sundry  theories,  which,  presented  in  an 
other  form,  he  would  have  repulsed  with  indigna 
tion.  Still  the  Signor  Soranzo  was  far  from  under 
standing  the  full  effects  of  that  system,  which  he 
was  born  to  uphold.  Even  Venice  paid  that  homage 
to  public  opinion,  of  which  there  has  just  been  ques 
tion,  and  held  forth  to  the  world  but  a  false  picture 
of  her  true  state  maxims.  Still  many  of  those  which 
were  too  apparent  to  be  concealed  were  difficult 
of  acceptance,  with  one  whose  mind  was  yet  un 
tainted  with  practice ;  and  the  young  senator  rather 
shut  his  eyes  on  their  tendency,  or,  as  he  felt  their 
influence  in  every  interest  which  environed  him, 
but  that  of  poor,  neglected,  abstract  virtue,  whose 
rewards  were  so  remote,  he  was  fain  to  seek  out 
some  palliative,  or  some  specious  and  indirect  good 
as  the  excuse  for  his  acquiescence. 

In  this  state  of  mind  the  Signor  Soranzo  was  un 
expectedly  admitted  a  member  of  the  Council  of 
Three.  Often,  in  the  day-dreams  of.  his  youth,  had 
he  contemplated  the  possession  of  this  very  irre 
sponsible  power  as  the  consummation  of  his  wishes, 
A  thousand  pictures  of  the  good  he  would  perform 
had  crossed  his  brain,  and  it  was  only  as  he  ad 
vanced  in  life,  and  came  to  have  a  near  view  of  the 
wiles  which  beset  the  best-intentioned,  that  he  could 
bring  himself  to  believe  most  of  that  which  he  med 
itated  was  impracticable.  As  it  was,  he  entered 
into  the  council  with  doubts  and  misgivings.  Had 
he  lived  in  a  later  age,  under  his  own  system  modi 
fied  by  the  knowledge  which  has  been  a  conse 
quence  of  the  art  of  printing,  it  is  probable  that  the 
Signor  Soranzo  would  have  been  a  noble  in  oppo 
sition,  now  supporting  with  ardor  some  measure  of 
public  benevolence,  and  now  yielding,  gracefully,  to 
the  suggestions  of  a  sterner  policy,  and  always  in 
fluenced  by  the  positive  advantages  he  was  born  to 


THE    BRAVO.  419 

possess,  though  scarcely  conscious  himself  he  was 
not  all  he  professed  to  be.  The  fault,  however,  was 
not  so  much  that  of  the  patrician  as  that  of  circum 
stances,  which,  by  placing  interest  in  opposition  to 
duty,  lures  many  a  benevolent  mind  into  still  greater 
weaknesses. 

The  companions  of  the  Signor  Soranzo,  how 
ever,  had  a  more  difficult  task  to  prepare  him  for 
the  duties  of  the  statesman,  which  were  so  very 
different  from  those  he  was  accustomed  to  perform 
as  a  man,  than  they  had  anticipated.  They  were 
like  two  trained  elephants,  of  the  east,  possessing 
themselves  all  the  finer  instincts  and  generous  qual 
ities  of  the  noble  animal,  but  disciplined  by  a  force 
quite  foreign  to  their  natural  condition  into  crea 
tures  of  mere  convention,  placed  one  on  each  side 
of  a  younger  brother,  fresh  from  the  plains,  and 
whom  it  was  their  duty  to  teach  new  services  for 
the  trunk,  new  affections,  and  haply  the  manner  in 
which  to  carry,  with  dignity,  the  howrdah  of  a 
Rajah. 

With  many  allusions  to  their  policy,  but  with  no 
direct  intimation  of  their  own  intention,  the  seniors 
of  the  council  continued  the  conversation,  until  the 
hour  for  the  meeting  in  the  doge's  palace  drew 
nigh.  They  then  separated,  as  privately  as  they 
had  come  together,  in  order  that  no  vulgar  eye 
might  penetrate  the  mystery  of  their  official  char 
acter. 

The  most  practised  of  the  three  appeared  in  an 
assembly  of  the  patricians,  which  noble  and  beauti 
ful  dames  graced  with  their  presence,  from  which 
he  disappeared  in  a  manner  to  leave  no  clue  to  his 
motions.  The  other  visited  the  death-bed  of  a 
friend,  where  he  discoursed  long  and  well,  with  a 
friar,  of  the  immortality  of  the  soul  and  the  hopes 
of  a  Christian :  when  he  departed,  the  godly  man 


420  THE   WiAVO 

bestowing  his  blessing,  and  the  family  he  left  being 
loud  and  eloquent  in  his  praise. 

The  Signor  Soranzo  clung  to  the  enjoyments  of 
his  own  family  circle  until  the  last  moment.  The 
Donna  Giulietta  had  returned,  fresher  and  more 
lovely  than  ever,  from  the  invigorating  sea-breeze, 
and  her  soft,  voice,  with  the  melodious  laugh  of  his 
first-born,  the  blooming,  ringlet-covered  girl  de 
scribed,  still  rang  in  his  ears,  when  his  gondoliei 
landed  him  beneath  the  bridge  of  the  Rialto.  Here 
he  masked,  and  drawing  his  cloak  about  him,  he 
moved  with  the  current  towards  the  square  of  St. 
Mark,  by  means  of  the  narrow  streets.  Once  in 
the  crowd,  there  was  little  danger  of  impertinent 
observation.  Disguise  was  as  often  useful  to  the 
oligarchy  of  Venice,  as  it  was  absolutely  necessary 
to  elude  its  despotism,  and  to  render  the  town  tol 
erable  to  the  citizen.  Paolo  saw  swarthy,  bare 
legged  men  of  the  Lagunes  entering  occasionally 
into  the  cathedral.  He  followed,  and  found  him 
self  standing  near  the  dimly-lighted  altar,  at  which 
masses  were  still  saying  for  the  soul  of  Antonio. 

"  This  is  one  of  thy  fellows  ? "  he  asked  of  a  fish 
erman,  whose  dark  eye  glittered  in  that  light,  like 
the  organ  of  a  basilisk. 

"  Signore,  he  was — a  more  honest,  or  a  more 
just  man,  did  not  cast  his  net  in  the  gulf." 

"  He  has  fallen  a  victim  to  his  craft  ? " 

"  Cospetto  di  Bacco  !  none  know  in  what  manner 
he  came  by  his  end.  Some  say  St.  Mark  was  im 
patient  to  see  him  in  paradise,  and  some  pretend, 
he  has  fallen  by  the  hand  of  a  common  Bravo 
named  Jacopo  Frontoni." 

"  Why  should  a  Bravo  take  the  life  of  one  like 
this?" 

"  By  having  the  goodness  to  answer  your  own 
question,  Signore,  you  will  spare  me  some  trouble. 
Why  should  he,  sure  enough  ?  They  say  Jacopo  is 


THE    BRAVO  421 

revengeful,  and  that  shame  and  anger  at  his  defeat 
in  the  late  regatta  by  one  old  as  this,  was  the  rea 
son." 

"  Is  he  so  jealous  of  his  honor  with  the  oar  ? " 

"  Diamine !  I  have  seen  the  time  when  Jacopo 
would  sooner  die,  than  lose  a  race ;  but  that  was 
before  he  carried  a  stiletto.  Had  he  kept  to  his 
oar,  the  thing  might  have  happened,  but  once  known 
for  the  hired  blow,  it  seems  unreasonable  he  should 
set  his  heart  so  strongly  on  the  prizes  of  the  canals." 

"  May  not  the  man  have  fallen  into  the  Lagunes, 
by  accident  1 " 

"  No  doubt,  Signore.  This  happens  to  some  of 
us  daily ;  but  then  we  think  i't  wiser  to  swim  to  the 
boat,  than  to  sink.  Old  Antonio  had  an  arm  in 
youth,  to  carry  him  from  the  quay  to  the  Lido." . 

"  But  he  may  have  been  struck  in  falling,  and 
rendered  unable  to  do  himself  this  good  office." 

"  There  would  be  marks  to  show  this,  were  it 
true,  Signore !" 

"  Would  not  Jacopo  have  used  the  stiletto  1" 

"  Perhaps  not,  on  one  like  Antonio.  The  gondola 
of  the  old  man  was  found  in  the  mouth  of  the 
Grand  Canal,  half  a  league  from  the  body,  and 
against  the  wind !  we  note  these  things,  Signore 
for  they  are  within  our  knowledge." 

"  A  happy  night  to  thee,  fisherman." 

"  A  most  happy  night,  eccellenza  ;"  said  the  la 
borer  of  the  Lagunes,  gratified  with  having  so  long 
occupied  the  attention  of  one  he  rightly  believed  so 
much  his  superior.  The  disguised  senator  passed 
on.  He  had  no  difficulty  in  quitting  the  cathedral 
unobserved,  and  he  had  his  private  means  of  enter 
ing  the  palace,  without  attracting  any  impertinent 
eye  to  his  movements.  Here  he  quickly  joined  his 
colleagues  of  the  fearful  tribunal. 
2N 


422  THE   BRAVO. 


CHAPTEE  XXIX. 

"  There  the  prisoners  rest  together ;  they  hear  not  the  voice  of 
.he  oppressor." Job. 

THE  manner  in  which  the  Council  of  Three  held 
its  more  public  meetings,  if  aught  connected  with 
that  mysterious  body  could  be  called  public,  has  al 
ready  been  seen.  On  the  present  occasion,  there 
were  the  same  robes,  the  same  disguises,  and  the 
same  officers  of  the  inquisition,  as  in  the  scene  re 
lated  in  a  previous  chapter.  The  only  change  was 
in  the  character  of  the  judges,  and  in  that  of  the 
accused.  By  a  peculiar  arrangement  of  the  lamp, 
too,  most  of  the  light  was  thrown  upon  the  spot  it 
was  intended  the  prisoner  should  occupy,  while  the 
side  of  the  apartment  on  which  the  inquisitors  sate, 
was  left  in  a  dimness  that  well  accorded  with  their 
gloomy  and  secret  duties.  Previously  to  the  open 
ing  of  the  door,  by  which  the  person  to  be  examin 
ed  was  to  appear,  there  was  audible  the  clanking 
of  chains,  the  certain  evidence  that  the  affair  in 
hand  was  considered  serious.  The  hinges  turned, 
and  the  Bravo  stood  in  presence  of  those  unknown 
men  who  were  to  decide  on  his  fate. 

As  Jacopo  had  often  been  before  the  council, 
though  not  as  a  prisoner,  he  betrayed  neither  sur 
prise  nor  alarm  at  the  black  aspect  of  all  his  eye 
beheld.  His  features  were  composed  though  pale, 
his  limbs  immovable,  and  his  mien  decent.  When 
the  little  bustle  of  his  entrance  had  subsided,  there 
reigned  a  stillness  in  the  room. 

"Thou  art  called  Jacopo  Frontoni?"  said  the 
secretary,  who  acted  as  the  mouth-piece  of  the 
Three,  on  this  occasion. 

"  T  am." 


THE   BRAVO.  423 

"  Thou  art  the  son  of  a  certain  Ricardo  Fronto- 
ni,  a  man  well  known  as  having  been  concerned  in 
robbing  the  republic's  customs,  and  who  is  thought 
to  have  been  banished  to  the  distant  islands,  or  to 
be  otherwise  punished  1 " 

"  Signore — or  otherwise  punished." 

"  Thou  wert  a  gondolier  in  thy  youth?" 

"  I  was  a  gondolier." 

"  Thy  mother  is " 

"  Dead ;"  said  Jacopo,  perceiving  the  other  paus 
ed  to  examine  his  notes. 

The  depth  of  the  tone,  in  which  this  word  was 
uttered,  caused  a  silence,  that  the  secretary  did  not 
interrupt,  until  he  had  thrown  a  glance  backward 
at  the  judges. 

"  She  was  not  accused  of  thy  father's  crime  1 " 

"  Had  she  been,  Signore,  she  is  long  since  beyond 
the  power  of  the  republic." 

"  Shortly  after  thy  father  fell  under  the  displea 
sure  of  the  state,  thou  quittedst  thy  business  of  a 
gondolier?" 

"  Signore,  I  did." 

"  Thou  art  accused,  Jacopo,  of  having  laid  aside 
the  oar  for  the  stiletto?" 

"  Signoro,  I  am." 

"For  several  years,  the  rumors  of  thy  bloody 
deeds  have  been  growing  in  Venice,  until,  of  late, 
none  have  met  with  an  untimely  fate,  that  the  blow 
has  not  been  attributed  to  thy  hand  ?" 

;'  This  is  too  true,  Signor  Segretario — I  would  it 
were  not ! " 

"  The  ears  of  his  highness,  and  of  the  Councils, 
have  not  been  closed  to  these  reports,  but  they  have 
long  attended  to  the  rumors  with  the  earnestness 
which  becomes  a  paternal  and  careful  government. 
If  they  have  suffered  thee  to  go  at  large,  it  hath 
only  been  that  there  might  be  no  hazard  of  sullying 


424  THE    BRAVO. 

the  ermine  of  justice,  with  a  premature  and  not  suf 
ficiently  supported  judgment." 

Jacopo  bent  his  head,  but  without  speaking.  A 
smile  so  wild  and  meaning,  however,  gleamed  on 
his  face  at  this  declaration,  that  the  permanent  offi 
cer  of  the  secret  tribunal,  he  who  served  as  its  or 
gan  of  communication,  bowed  nearly  to  the  paper 
he  held,  as  it  might  be  to  look  deeper  into  his  docu 
ments.  Let  not  the  reader  turn  back  to  this  page 
in  surprise,  when  he  shall  have  reached  the  expla 
nation  of  the  tale,  for  mysticisms  quite  as  palpable, 
if  not  of  so  ruthless  a  character,  have  been  publicly 
acted  by  political  bodies  in  his  own  times. 

"  There  is  now  a  specific  and  a  frightful  charge 
brought  against  thee,  Jacopo  Frontoni,"  continued 
the  secretary;  "and,  in  tenderness  of  the  citizen's 
life,  the  dreaded  council  itself  hath  taken  the  matter 
in  hand.  Didst  thou  know  a  certain  Antonio  Vec 
chio,  a  fisherman  here  in  our  Lagunes?" 

"  Signore,  I  knew  him  well  of  late,  and  much  re 
gret  that  it  was  only  of  late." 

"  Thou  knowest,  too,  that  his  body  hath  been 
found,  drowned  in  the  bay?" 

Jacopo  shuddered,  signifying  his  assent  merely 
by  a  sign.  The  effect  of  this  tacit  acknowledg 
ment  on  the  youngest  of  the  three  was  apparent, 
for  he  turned  to  his  companions,  like  one  struck  by 
the  confession  it  implied.  His  colleagues  made  dig 
nified  inclinations  in  return,  and  the  silent  communi 
cation  ceased. 

"His  death  has  excited  discontent  among  his  fel 
lows,  and  its  cause  has  become  a  serious  subject  of 
inquiry  for  the  illustrious  Council." 

"  The  death  of  the  meanest  man  in  Venice  should 
call  forth  the  care  of  the  patricians,  Signore." 

"  Dost  thou  know,  Jacopo.  that  thou  art  accused 
of  being  his  murderer?" 

"  Signore,  I  do." 


THE    BRAVO  425 

"  It  is  said  that  thou  earnest  among  the  gondo 
liers  in  the  late  regatta,  and  that,  but  for  this  aged 
fisherman,  thou  would'st  have  been  winner  of  the 
prize?" 

"  In  that,  rumor  hath  not  lied,  Signore." 

"  Thou  dost  not,  then,  deny  the  charge ! "  said  the 
examiner,  in  evident  surprise. 

"  It  is  certain  that  but  for  the  fisherman,  I  should 
have  been  the  winner. 

"  And  thou  wished  it,  Jacopo  ?" 

"  Signore,  greatly;"  returned  the  accused,  with  a 
show  of  emotion,  that  had  not  hitherto  escaped 
him.  "  I  was  a  man  condemned  of  his  fellows,  and 
the  oar  had  been  my  pride,  from  childhood  to  that 
hour." 

Another  movement  of  the  third  inquisitor  betray 
ed,  equally,  his  interest  and  his  surprise. 

"Dost  thou  confess  the  crime?" 

Jacopo  smiled,  but  more  in  derision  than  with  any 
other  feeling. 

"  If  the  illustrious  senators  here  present  will  un 
mask,  I  may  answer  that  question,  haply,  with  greater 
confidence ;"  he  said. 

"  Thy  request  is  bold  and  out  of  rule.  None 
know  the  persons  of  the  patricians  who  preside  over 
the  destinies  of  the  state.  Dost  thou  confess  the 
crime?" 

The  entrance  of  an  officer,  in  some  haste,  pre 
vented  a  reply.  The  man  placed  a  written  report 
in  the  hands  of  the  inquisitor  in  red,  and  withdrew. 
After  a  short  pause,  the  guards  were  ordered  to  re 
tire  with  their  prisoner. 

"  Great  senators  !"  said  Jacopo,  advancing  earn 
estly  towards  the  table,  as  if  he  would  seize  the 
moment  to  urge  what  he  was  about  to  say; — 
"  Mercy !  grant  me  your  authority  to  visit  one  in 
the  prisons,  beneath  the  leads ! — I  have  weighty  rea 
2N2 


426  THE   BRAVO. 

sons  for  the  wish,  and  I  pray  you,  as  men  and  fa 
thers,  to  grant  it!" 

The  interest  of  the  two,  who  were  consulting 
apart  on  the  new  intelligence,  prevented  them  from 
listening  to  what  he  urged.  The  other  inquisitor, 
who  was  the  Signor  Soranzo,  had  drawn  near  the 
lamp,  anxious  to  read  the  lineaments  of  one  so  no 
torious,  and  was  gazing  at  his  striking  countenance. 
Touched  by  the  pathos  of  his  voice,  and  agreeably 
disappointed  in  the  lineaments  he  studied,  he  took 
upon  himself  the  power  to  grant  the  request. 

"  Humor  his  wish,"  he  said  to  the  halberdiers ; 
"  but  have  him  in  readiness  to  reappear." 

Jacopo  looked  his  gratitude,  but  fearful  that  the 
others  might  still  interfere  to  prevent  his  wish,  he 
hurried  from  the  room. 

The  march  of  the  little  procession,  which  pro 
ceeded  from  the  chamber  of  the  inquisition  to  the 
summer  cells  of  its  victims,  was  sadly  characteristic 
of  the  place  and  the  government. 

It  went  through  gloomy  and  secret  corridors, 
that  were  hid  from  the  vulgar  eye,  while  thin  par 
titions  only  separated  it  from  the  apartments  of 
the  doge,  which,  like  the  specious  aspect  of  the 
state,  concealed  the  nakedness  and  misery  within, 
by  their  gorgeousness  and  splendor!  On  reach 
ing  the  attic,  Jacopo  stopped,  and  turned  to  his  con 
ductors. 

"  If  you  are  beings  of  God's  forming,"  he  said, 
"  take  off  these  clanking  chains,  though  it  be  but  for 
a  moment." 

The  keepers  regarded  each  other  in  surprise,  nei 
ther  offering  to  do  the  charitable  office. 

"I  go-  to  visit,  probably  for  the  last  time,"  con 
tinued  the  prisoner,  "  a  bed-ridden — I  may  say — a 
dying  father,  who  knows  nothing  of  my  situation,—- 
will  ye  that  he  should  see  me  thus?" 

The  appeal  which  was  made,  more  with  the  voice 


THE    BRAVO.  427 

and  manner,  than  in  the  words,  had  its  effect.  A 
keeper  removed  the  chains,  and -bade  him  proceed. 
With  a  cautious  tread,  Jacopo  advanced,  and  when 
the  door  was  opened  he  entered  the  room  alone, 
for  none  there  had  sufficient  interest  in  an  inter 
view  between  a  common  Bravo  and  his  father,  to 
endure  the  glowing  warmth  of  the  place,  the  while. 
The  door  was  closed  after  him,  and  the  room  be 
came  dark. 

Notwithstanding  his  assumed  firmness,  Jacopo 
hesitated,  when  he  found  himself  so  suddenly  intro 
duced  to  the  silent  misery  of  the  forlorn  captive. 
A  hard  breathing  told  him  the  situation  of  the 
pallet,  but  the  walls,  which  were  solid  on  the  side 
of  the  corridor,  effectually  prevented  the  admission 
of  light. 

"  Father!"  said  Jacopo,  with  gentleness. 

He  got  no  answer. 

"  Father !"  he  repeated  in  a  stronger  voice. 

The  breathing  became  more  audible,  and  then  the 
captive  spoke. 

"  Holy  Maria  hear?  my  prayers  ! "  he  said  feebly 
"  God  hath  sent  thee,  son,  to  close  my  eyes ! " 

"Doth  thy  strength  fail  thee,  father?" 

"  Greatly — my  time  is  come — I  had  hoped  to  see 
the  light  of  the  day  again  ;  to  bless  thy  dear  mother 
and  sister — God's  will  be  done  ! " 

"  They  pray  for  us  both,  father.  They  are  be 
yond  the  power  of  the  senate." 

"Jacopo, — I  do  not  understand  thee!" 

"  My  mother  and  sister  are  dead ;  they  are  saints 
in  Heaven,  father." 

The  old  man  groaned,  for  the  tie  of  earth  had 
not  yet  been  entirely  severed.  Jacopo  heard  him 
murmuring  a  prayer,  and  he  knelt  by  the  side  of  his 
pallet. 

"This  is  a  sudden  blow!"  whispered  the  old 
man.  "  We  depart  together." 


428  THE  BRAVO. 

"  They  are  long  dead,  father." 

"Why  hast  thou  not  told  me  this  before,  Ja- 
copo?" 

"Hadst  thou  not  sorrows  enough  without  tins' 
— now  that  thou  art  about  to  join  them,  it  will  be 
pleasant  to  know,  that  they  have  so  long  been 
happy." 

"  And  thou  ? — thou  wilt  be  alone — give  me  thy 
hand, — poor  Jacopo  !" 

The  Bravo  reached  forth,  and  took  the  feeble 
member  of  his  parent ;  it  was  clammy  and  cold. 

"Jacopo,"  continued  the  captive,  whose  mind  still 
sustained  the  body,  "  I  have  prayed  thrice  within 
the  hour — once  for  my  own  soul — once  for  the 
peace  of  thy  mother — lastly,  for  thee  ! " 
.  "Bless  thee,  father! — bless  thee! — I  have  need 
of  prayer!" 

"  I  have  asked  of  God — favor  in  thy  behalf.  I 
have  bethought  me — of  all  thy  love  and  care — of 
all  thy  devotion  to  my  age  and  sufferings.  When 
thou  wert  a  child,  Jacopo — tenderness  for  thee — 
tempted  me  to  acts  of  weakness, — I  trembled  lest 
thy  manhood  might  bring  upon  me — pain  and  re 
pentance.  Thou  hast  not  known  the  yearnings — of 
a  parent  for  his  offspring — but  thou  hast  well  requi 
ted  them.  Kneel,  Jacopo — that  I  may  ask  of  God 
— once  more,  to  remember  thee." 

"  I  am  at  thy  side,  father." 

The  old  mail  raised  his  feeble  arms,  and  with  a 
voice,  whose  force  appeared  reviving,  he  pronounc 
ed  a  fervent  and  solemn  benediction. 

"  The  blessing  of  a  dying  parent  will  sweeten 
thy  life — Jacopo,"  he  added,  after  a  pause,  "and 
give  peace  to  thy  last  moments." 

"  It  will  do  the  latter,  father." 

A  rude  summons  at  the  door  interrupted  them. 

"Come  forth  Jacopo,"  said  a  keeper; — "the 
Council  seeks  thee!" 


THE    BRAVO.  429 

Jacopo  felt  the  convulsive  start  of  his  father,  but 
he  did  not  answer. 

"  Will  they  not  leave  thee — a  few  minutes  long 
er?"  whispered  the  old  man — "I  shall  not  keep 
thee  long ! " 

The  door  opened,  and  a  gleam  from  the  lamp  fell 
on  the  group  in  the  cell.  The  keeper  had  the  hu 
manity  to  shut  it  again,  leaving  all  in  obscurity. 
The  glance  which  Jacopo  obtained,  by  that  passing 
light,  was  the  last  look  he  had  of  his  father's  coun 
tenance.  Death  was  fearfully  on  it,  but  the  eyes 
were  turned  in  unutterable  affection  on  his  own. 

"The  man  is  merciful — he  will  not  shut  thee 
out ! "  murmured  the  parent. 

"  They  cannot  leave  thee  to  die  alone,  father ! " 

"  Son,  I  am  with  my  God — yet  I  would  gladly 
have  thee  by  my  side ! — Didst  thou  say — thy  mo 
ther  and  thy  sister  were  dead  1 " 

"Dead!" 

"  Thy  young  sister,  too  ?  " 

"  Father,  both.     They  are  saints  in  Heaven." 

The  old  man  breathed  thick,  and  there  was  si 
lence.  Jacopo  felt  a  hand  moving  in  the  darkness, 
as  if  in  quest  of  him.  He  aided  the  effort,  and  laid 
the  member  in  reverence  on  his  own  head. 

"  Maria  undefiled,  and  her  son,  who  is  God ! — 
bless  thee,  Jacopo  !"  whispered  a  voice,  that  to  the 
excited  imagination  of  the  kneeling  Bravo,  appeared 
to  hover  in  the  air.  The  solemn  words  were  fol 
lowed  by  a  quivering  sigh.  Jacopo  hid  his  face  in 
the  blanket,  and  prayed.  After  which  there  was 
deep  quiet. 

"Father!"  he  asked,  trembling  at  his  own 
smothered  voice. 

He  was  unanswered.  Stretching  out  a  hand,  it 
touched  the  features  of  a  corpse.  With  a  firmness 
that  had  the  quality  of  desperation,  he  again  bowed 


430  THE  BRAVO. 

his  head,  and  uttered,  fervently,  a  prayer  for  tLe 
dead. 

When  the  door  of  the  cell  opened,  Jacopo  ap 
peared  to  the  keepers,  with  a  dignity  of  air  that 
belongs  only  to  character,  and  which  was  heighten 
ed  by  the  scene,  in  which  he  had  just  been  an 
actor.  He  raised  his  hands,  and  stood  immovable 
while  the  manacles  were  replaced.  This  office 
done,  they  walked  away  together,  in  the  direction 
of  the  secret  chamber.  It  was  not  long  ere  all 
were  again  in  their  places,  before  the  Council  of 
Three. 

"  Jacopo     Frontoni,"    resumed    the     secretary, 

thou  art  suspected  of  being  privy  to  another  dark 
deed,  that  hath  had  place  of  late,  within  our  city. 
Hast  thou  any  knowledge  of  a  noble  Calabrian, 
who  hath  high  claim  to  the  senate's  honors,  and 
who  hath  long  had  his  abode  in  Venice?" 

"  Signore,  I  have." 

"  Hast  thou  had  aught  of  concern  with  him  ?" 

"  Signore,  yes." 

A  movement  of  common  interest  made  itself  ap 
parent  among  the  auditors. 

"  Dost  thou  know  where  the  Don  Camillo  Mon- 
forte  is,  at  present?" 

Jacopo  hesitated.  He  so  well  understood  the 
means  of  intelligence  possessed  by  the  Council,  that 
he  doubted  how  far  it  might  be  prudent  to  deny  his 
connexion  with  the  flight  of  the  lovers.  Besides, 
at  that  moment  his  mind  was  deeply  impressed  with 
a  holy  sentiment  of  truth. 

"  Canst  thou  say,  why  the  young  duca  is  not  to 
be  found  in  his  palace  ?"  repeated  the  secretary. 

"  Illustrissimo,  he  hath  quitted  Venice  for  ever." 

"  How  canst  thou  know  this  ? — Would  he  make 
a  confidant  of  a  common  Bravo  ?" 

The  smile  which  crossed  the  features  of  Jacopo 
was  full  of  superiority;  it  caused  the  conscious 


THE  BRAVO.  431 

agent  of  the  Secret  Tribunal  to  look  closely  at  his 
papers,  like  one  who  felt  its  power. 

"  Art  thou  his  confidant — I  ask  again?" 

"  Signore,  in  this,  I  am. — I  have  the  assurance 
from  the  mouth  of  Don  Camillo  Monforte  himself 
that  he  will  not  return." 

"  This  is  impossible,  since  it  would  involve  a  loss 
of  all  his  fair  hopes  and  illustrious  fortunes." 

"  He  consoled  himself,  Signore,  with  the  posses 
sion  of  the  heiress  of  Tiepolo's  love,  and  with  her 
riches." 

Again  there  was  a  movement  among  the  Three, 
which  all  their  practised  restraint,  and  the  conven 
tional  dignity  of  their  mysterious  functions,  could 
not  prevent. 

"  Let  the  keepers  withdraw ;"  said  the  inquisitor 
of  the  scarlet  robe.  So  soon  as  the  prisoner  was 
alone  with  the  Three,  and  their  permanent  officer, 
he  examination  continued ;  the  senators  themselves, 
trusting  to  the  effect  produced  by  their  masks,  and 
some  feints,  speaking  as  occasion  offered. 

"  This  is  important  intelligence  that  thou  hast 
communicated,  Jacopo,"  continued  he  of  the  robe 
of  flame.  "  It  may  yet  redeem  thy  life,  wert  thou 
wise  enough  to  turn  it  to  account." 

"  What  would  your  eccellenza,  at  my  hands  1  It 
is  plain  that  the  Council  know  of  the  flight  of  Don 
Camillo,  nor  will  I  believe,  that  eyes,  which  so  sel 
dom  are  closed,  have  not  yet  missed  the  daughter 
of  the  Tiepolo." 

"  Both  are  true,  Jacopo ;  but  what  hast  thou  to 
say  of  the  means  ? "  Remember,  that  as  thou  find- 
est  favor  with  the  Council,  thine  own  fate  will  be 
decided." 

The  prisoner  suffered  another  of  those  freezing 
gleams  to  cross  his  face,  which  invariably  caused 
his  examiners  to  bend  their  looks  aside. 

"  The  means  of  escape  cannot  be  wanting  to  a 


432  THE   BRAVO. 

bold  lover,  Signore ;"  he  replied.  "  Don  Camillo  is 
rich,  and  might  employ  a  thousand  agents,  had  he 
need  of  them." 

"  Thou  art  equivocating ;  't  will  be  the  worse  foi 
thee,  that  thou  triflest  with  the  Council — who  are 
these  agents  1 " 

"  He  had  a  generous  household,  eccellenza ; — 
many  hardy  gondoliers,  and  servitors  of  all  condi 
tions." 

"  Of  these  we  have  nothing  to  learn.  He  hath 
escaped  by  other  means — or  art  thou  sure  he  hath 
escaped  at  all  1 " 

"  Signore,  is  he  in  Venice  ? " 

"  Nay,  that  we  ask  of  thee.  Here  is  an  accusa 
tion,  found  in  the  lion's  mouth,  which  charges  thee 
with  his  assassination." 

"  And  the  Donna  Violetta's  too,  eccellenza  1 " 

"  Of  her,  we  have  heard  nothing.  What  answer 
dost  make  to  the  charge  1 " 

"  Signore,  why  should  I  betray  my  own  secrets  ? " 

"  Ha  !  art  thou  equivocating  and  faithless  ?  Re 
member  that  we  have  a  prisoner  beneath  the  leads, 
who  can  extract  the  truth  from  thee." 

Jacopo  raised  his  form  to  such  an  altitude,  as  one 
might  fancy  to  express  the  mounting  of  a  liberated 
spirit.  Still  his  eye  was  sad,  and  spite  of  an  effort 
to  the  contrary,  his  voice  melancholy. 

"  Senators,"  he  said,  "  your  prisoner  beneath  the 
leads,  is  free." 

"  How !  thou  art  trifling,  in  thy  despair ! " 

"  I  speak  truth.  The  liberation,  so  long  delayed, 
hath  come  at  last ! " 

"  Thy  father " 

"  Is  dead ;  interrupted  Jacopo,  solemnly. 

The  two  elder  members  of  the  Council  looked  at 
each  other,  in  surprise,  while  their  junior  colleague 
listened  with  the  interest  of  one,  who  was  just  en 
tering  on  a  noviciate  of  secret  and  embarrassing 


THE   BRAVO.  433 

duties.  The  former  consulted  together,  and  then 
they  communicated  as  much  of  their  opinions  to  the 
Signor  Soranzo,  as  they  deemed  necessary  to  the 
occasion. 

"  Wilt  thou  consult  thine  own  safety.  Jacopo,  and 
reveal  all  thou  knowest  of  this  affair  of  the  Neapo 
litan  ? "  continued  the  inquisitor,  when  this  by-play 
was  ended. 

Jacopo  betrayed  no  weakness  at  the  menace  im 
plied  by  the  words  of  the  senator ;  but,  after  a  mo 
ment's  reflection,  he  answered  with  as  much  frank 
ness  as  he  could  have  used  at  the  confessional. 

"  It  is  known  to  you,  illustrious  senator,"  he  said 
"  that  the  state  had  a  desire  to  match  the  heiress  of 
Tiepolo,  to  its  own  advantage ;  that  she  was  be 
loved  of  the  Neapolitan  noble ;  and  that,  as  is  wont, 
between  young  and  virtuous  hearts,  she  returned 
his  love,  as  became  a  maiden  of  her  high  condition, 
and  tender  years.  Is  there  any  thing  extraordinary 
in  the  circumstance,  that  two  of  so  illustrious  hopes 
should  struggle  to  prevent  their  own  misery  ?  Sig- 
nori,  the  night  that  old  Antonio  died,  I  was  alone, 
among  the  graves  of  the  Lido,  with  many  melan 
choly  and  bitter  thoughts,  and  life  had  become  a 
burthen  to  me.  Had  the  evil  spirit  which  was  then 
uppermost  maintained  its  mastery,  I  might  have 
died  the  death  of  a  hopeless  suicide.  God  sent  Don 
Camillo  Monforte,  to  my  succor — praised  be  the 
immaculate  Maria,  and  her  blessed  Son,  for  the 
mercy !  it  was  there,  I  learned  the  wishes  of  the 
Neapolitan,  and  enlisted  myself  in  his  service.  I 
swore  to  him,  senators  of  Venice,  to  be  true ;  to  die 
in  his  cause,  should  it  be  necessary;  and  to  help 
him  to  his  bride.  This  pledge  have  I  redeemed. 
The  happy  lovers  are  now  in  the  states  of  the 
Church,  and  under  the  puissant  protection  of  the 
cardinal  secretary,  Don  Camillo's  mother's  brother." 
20 


434  THE  BRAVO. 

"Fool!  why  didst  thou  this?  Hadst  thou  no 
thought  for  thyself?" 

"  Eccellenza,  but  little ;  I  thought  more  of  find 
ing  a  human  bosom  to  pour  out  my  sufferings  to, 
than  of  your  high  displeasure.  I  have  not  known 
so  sweet  a  moment  in  years,  as  that  in  which  I  saw 
the  lord  of  Sant'  Agata  fold  his  beautiful  and  weep 
ing  bride  to  his  heart ! " 

The  inquisitors  were  struck  with  the  quiet  enthu 
siasm  of  the  Bravo,  and  surprise  once  more  held 
them  in  suspense.  At  length,  the  elder  of  the  three 
resumed  the  examination. 

"  Wilt  thou  impart  the  manner  of  this  escape, 
Jacopo  ? "  he  demanded.  "  Remember  thou  hast 
still  a  life  to  redeem ! " 

"  Signore,  it  is  scarce  worth  the  trouble.  But  to 
do  you  pleasure,  nothing  shall  be  concealed." 

Jacopo  then  recounted,  in  simple,  and  undisguised 
terms,  the  entire  means  employed  by  Don  Camillo, 
in  effecting  his  escape;  his  hopes,  his  disappoint 
ments,  and  his  final  success.  In  this  narrative  no 
thing  was  concealed,  but  the  place  in  which  the 
ladies  had  temporarily  taken  refuge,  and  the  name 
of  Gelsomina.  Even  the  attempt  of  Giacorno  Gra- 
denigo  on  the  life  of  the  Neapolitan,  and  the  agency 
of  the  Hebrew,  were  fully  exposed.  None  listened 
to  this  explanation  so  intently  as  the  young  husband. 
Notwithstanding  his  public  duties,  his  pulses  quick 
ened  as  the  prisoner  dwelt  on  the  different  chances 
of  the  lovers,  and  when  their  final  union  wras  pro 
claimed,  he  felt  his  heart  bound  with  delight.  On 
the  other  hand,  his  more  practised  colleagues  heard 
the  detail  of  the  Bravo,  with  politic  coolness.  The 
effect  of  all  factitious  systems  is  to  render  the  feel 
ings  subservient  to  expediency.  Convention  and 
fiction  take  place  of  passion  and  truth,  and  like  the 
Mussulman  with  his  doctrine  of  predestination,  there 
is  no  one  more  acquiescent  in  defeat,  than  he  who 


THE   BRAVO  435 

has  obtained  an  advantage  in  the  face  of  nature  and 
'usuce ;  his  resignation  being,  in  common,  as  per 
fect  as  his  previous  arrogance  was  insupportable. 
The  two  old  senators  perceived  at  once,  that  Don 
Camillo,  and  his  fair  companion,  were  completely 
beyond  the  reach  of  their  power,  and  they  instantly 
admitted  the  wisdom  of  making  a  merit  of  necessity 
Having  no  farther  occasion  for  Jacopo,  they  sum 
moned  the  keepers,  and  dismissed  him  to  his  cell. 

"  It  will  be  seemly  to  send  letters  of  congratula 
tion,  to  the  cardinal  secretary,  on  the  union  of  his 
nephew,  with  so  rich  an  heiress  of  our  city,"  said 
tbo  Inquisitor  of  the  Ten,  as  the  door  closed  on  the 
retiring  group.  "  So  great  an  interest  as  that  of  the 
Neapolitan,  should  be  propitiated." 

"  But  should  he  urge  the  state's  resistance  to  his 
hopes  1"  returned  the  Signor  Soranzo,  in  feeble  objec 
tion  to  so  bold  a  scheme. 

"  We  will  excuse  it  as  the  act  of  a  former  council. 
These  misconceptions  are  the  unavoidable  conse 
quences  of  the  caprices  of  liberty,  Signore.  The 
steed  that  ranges  the  plains,  in  the  freedom  of  nature, 
cannot  be  held  to  perfect  command,  like  the  dull 
beast  that  draws  the  car.  This  is  the  first  of  your 
sittings,  in  the  Three,  but  experience  will  show  you, 
that  excellent  as  we  are  in  system,  we  are  not  quite 
perfect  in  practice.  This  is  grave  matter  of  the 
young  Gradenigo,  Signori!" 

"  I  have  long  known  his  unworthiness,"  returned 
his  more  aged  colleague.  "It  is  a  thousand  pities 
that  so  honorable  and  so  noble  a  patrician  should 
have  produced  so  ignoble  a  child.  But  neither  the 
state,  nor  the  city,  can  tolerate  assassination." 

"  Would  it  were  less  frequent ! "  exclaimed  the 
Signore  Soranzo,  in  perfect  sincerity. 

"Would  it  were,  indeed!    There  are  hints  in  oui 
secret  information,  which  tend  to  confirm  the  charge 
R2 


436  THE    BRAVO. 

of  Jacopo.     Though  long  experience  has  taught  us 
to  put  full  faith  in  his  reports." 

"  How — is  Jacopo,  then,  an  agent  of  the  police?'' 
"  Of  that  more  at  our  leisure,  Signor  Soranzo.    At 
present  we  must  look  to  this  attempt  on  the  life  of 
one  protected  by  our  laws." 

The  Three  then  entered  into  a  serious  discussion 
of  the  case  of  the  two  delinquents.  Venice,  like  all 
despotic  governments,  had  the  merit  of  great  ef 
ficiency  in  its  criminal  police,  when  it  was  disposed 
to  exert  it.  Justice  was  sure  enough  in  those  in 
stances,  in  which  the  interests  of  the  government 
itself  were  not  involved,  or  in  which  bribery  cojld 
not  well  be  used.  As  to  the  latter,  through  the 
jealousy  of  the  state,  and  the  constant  agency  of 
those  who  were  removed  from  temptation,  by  being 
already  in  possession  of  a  monopoly  of  benefits,  it 
was  by  no  means  as  frequent,  as  in  some  other  com 
munities,  in  which  the  affluent  were  less  interested. 
The  Signor  Soranzo  had  now  a  fair  occasion  for  the 
exercise  of  his  generous  feelings.  Though  related 
to  the  house  of  Gradenigo,  he  was  not  backward  in 
decrying  the  conduct  of  its  heir.  His  first  impulses 
were  to  make  a  terrible  example  of  the  accused,  and 
to  show  the  world  that  no  station  brought  with  it,  in 
Venice,  impunity  for  crime.  From  this  view  of  the 
case,  however,  he  was  gradually  enticed  by  his  com 
panions,  who  reminded  him  that  the  law  commonly 
made  a  distinction,  between  the  intention  and  the 
execution  of  an  offence.  Driven  from  his  first  de 
termination  by  the  cooler  heads  of  his  colleagues, 
the  young  inquisitor  next  proposed  that  the  case 
should  be  sent  to  the  ordinary  tribunals,  for  judgment. 
Instances  had  not  been  wanting,  in  which  the  aris 
tocracy  of  Venice  sacrificed  one  of  its  body  to  the 
seemliness  of  Justice ;  for  when  such  cases  were 
managed  with  discretion,  they  rather  strengthened 
than  weakened  their  ascendency.  But  the  presen.' 


THE    BRAVO.  437 

crime  was  known  to  be  too  common,  to  permit  so 
lavish  an  expenditure  of  their  immunities,  and  the 
old  inquisitors  opposed  the  wish  of  their  younger 
colleague,  with  great  plausibility,  and  with  some 
show  of  reason.  It  was  finally  resolved  that  they 
should  themselves  decide  on  the  case. 

The  next  question  was  the  degree  of  punishment 
The  wily  senior  of  the  council  began  by  proposing 
a  banishment  for  a  few  months,  for  Giacomo  Grade- 
nigo  was  already  obnoxious  to  the  anger  of  the 
state,  on  more  accounts  than  one.  But  this  punish 
ment  was  resisted,  by  the  Signor  Soranzo,  with  the 
ardor  of  an  uncorrupted  and  generous  mind.  The 
latter  gradually  prevailed,  his  companions  taking 
care  that  their  compliance  should  have  the  air  of  a 
concession  to  his  arguments.  The  result  of  all  this 
management  was,  that  the  heir  of  Gradenigo  was 
condemned  to  ten  years'  retirement  in  the  provinces, 
and  Hosea  to  banishment  for  life.  Should  the  reader 
be  of  opinion  that  strict  justice  was  not  meted  out  to 
the  offenders,  he  should  remember,  that  the  Hebrew 
ought  to  be  glad  to  have  escaped  as  he  did. 

"  We  must  not  conceal  this  judgment,  nor  its 
motive,"  observed  the  Inquisitor  of  the  Ten,  when 
the  affair  was  concluded.  "  The  state  is  never  a 
loser  for  letting  its  justice  be  known." 

"  Nor  for  its  exercise,  I  should  hope ;"  returned 
the  Signor  Soranzo.  "  As  our  affairs  are  ended  for 
the  night,  is  it  your  pleasures,  Signori,  that  we  re 
turn  to  our  palaces  ?  " 

"  Nay,  we  have  this  matter  of  Jacopo." 

"  Him  may  we,  now,  surely,  turn  over  to  the  or 
dinary  tribunals ! " 

"  As  you  may  decide,  Signori;  is  this  your  plea 
sure?" 

Both  the  others  bowed  assent,  and  the  usual  pre. 
parations  were  made  for  departure. 

Ere  the  two  seniors  of  the  Council  left  the  pa  ace 
202 


438  THE    BRAVO. 

however,  they  held  a  long  and  secret  conference 
together.  The  result  was  a  private  order  to  the 
criminal  judge,  and  then  they  returned,  each  to  his 
own  abode,  like  men  who  had  the  approbation  of 
their  own  consciences. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Signor  Soranzo  hastened 
to  his  own  luxurious  and  happy  dwelling.  For  the 
first  time,  in  his  life,  he  entered  it  with  a  distrust  of 
himself.  Without  being  conscious  of  the  reason, 
he  felt  sad,  for  he  had  taken  the  first  step  in  that 
tortuous  and  corrupting  path,  which  eventually 
leads  to  the  destruction  of  all  those  generous  and 
noble  sentiments,  which  can  only  flourish  apart 
from  the  sophistry  and  fictions  of  selfishness.  He 
would  have  rejoiced  to  have  been  as  light  of  heart 
as  at  the  moment  he  handed  his  fair-haired  partner 
into  the  gondola  that  night ;  but  his  head  had  press 
ed  the  pillow  for  many  hours,  before  sleep  drew  a 
veil  over  the  solemn  trifling  with  the  most  serious 
of  our  duties,  in  which  he  had  been  an  actor. 


CHAPTEE  XXX. 

Art  thou  not  guilty !    No,  indeed,  I  am  not.' 


ROGERS. 


THE  following  morning  brought  the  funeral  of 
Antonio.  The  agents  of  the  police  took  the  pre 
caution  to  circulate  in  the  city,  that  the  senate  per 
mitted  this  honor  to  the  memory  of  the  old  fisher 
man,  on  account  of  his  success  in  the  regatta,  and 
as  some  atonement  for  his  unmerited  and  mysteri 
ous  death.  All  the  men  of  the  Lagunes  were  as 
sembled  in  the  square  at  the  appointed  hour,  in  de 
cent  guise,  flattered  with  the  notice  that  their  craft 


THE  BRAVO.  439 

received,  and  more  than  half  disposed  to  forget 
their  former  anger  in  the  present  favor.  Thus  easy 
is  it  for  those  who  are  elevated  above  their  fellow- 
creatures  by  the  accident  of  birth,  or  by  the  opin 
ions  of  a  factitious  social  organization,  to  repair  the 
wrongs  they  do  in  deeds,  by  small  concessions  of 
their  conventional  superiority. 

Masses  were  still  chanted  for  the  soul  of  old 
Antonio  before  the  altar  of  St.  Mark.  Foremost 
among  the  priests  was  the  good  Carmelite,  who 
had  scarce  known  hunger  or  fatigue,  in  his  pious 
desire  to  do  the  offices  of  the  church,  in  behalf  of 
one,  whose  fate  he  might  be  said  to  have  witnessed. 
His  zeal,  however,  in  that  moment  of  excitement 
passed  unnoticed  by  all,  but  those  whose  business  it 
was  to  suffer  no  unusual  display  of  character,  nor 
any  unwonted  circumstance  to  have  place,  without 
attracting  their  suspicion.  As  the  Carmelite  finally 
withdrew  from  the  altar,  previously  to  the  removal 
of  the  body,  he  felt  the  sleeve  of  his  robe  slightly 
drawn  aside,  and  yielding  to  the  impulse,  he  quickly 
found  himself  among  the  columns  of  that  gloomy 
church,  alone  with  a  stranger. 

"  Father,  thou  hast  shrived  many  a  parting  soul  ? " 
observed,  rather  than  asked,  the  other. 

"  It  is  the  duty  of  my  holy  office,  son." 

"  The  state  will  note  thy  services;  there  will  be 
need  of  thee  when  the  body  of  this  fisherman  is 
committed  to  the  earth." 

The  monk  shuddered,  but  making  the  sign  of  the 
cross,  he  bowed  his  pale  face,  in  signification  of  his 
readiness  to  discharge  the  duty.  At  that  moment 
ihe  bearers  lifted  the  body,  and  the  procession  is 
sued  upon  the  great  square.  First  marched  the 
usual  lay  underlings  of  the  cathedral,  who  were 
followed  by  those  who  chanted  the  offices  of  the 
occasion.  Among  the  latter  the  Carmelite  hastened 
.o  take  his  station.  Next  came  the  corpse,  without 


440  THE  BRAVO 

a  coffin,  for  that  is  a  luxury  of  the  grave,  even  novf 
unknown  to  the  Italians  of  old  Antonio's  degree. 
The  body  was  clad  in  the  holiday  vestments  of  a 
fisherman,  the  hands  and  feet  being  naked.  A  cross 
lay  on  the  breast;  the  gray  hairs  were  blowing 
about  in  the  air,  and,  in  frightful  adornment  of  the 
ghastliness  of  death,  a  bouquet  of  flowers  was 
placed  upon  the  mouth.  The  bier  was  rich  in  gild 
ing  and  carving,  another  melancholy  evidence  of 
the  lingering  wishes  and  false  direction  of  human 
vanity. 

Next  to  this  characteristic  equipage  of  the  dead 
walked  a  lad,  whose  brown  cheek,  half-naked  body, 
and  dark,  roving,  eye,  announced  the  grandson  of 
the  fisherman.  Venice  knew  when  to  yield  grace 
fully,  and  the  boy  was  liberated,  unconditionally, 
from  the  galleys,  in  pity,  as  it  was  whispered,  for 
the  untimely  fate  of  his  parent.  There  was  the  as 
piring  look,  the  dauntless  spirit,  and  the  rigid  hon 
esty  of  Antonio,  in  the  bearing  of  the  lad ;  but  these 
qualities  were  now  smothered  by  a  natural  grief; 
and,  as  in  the  case  of  him,  whose  funeral  escort  he 
followed,  something  obscured  by  the  rude  chances 
of  his  lot.  From  time  to  time  the  bosom  of  the 
generous  boy  heaved,  as  they  marched  along  the 
quay,  taking  the  route  of  the  arsenal;  and  there 
were  moments  that  his  lips  quivered ;  grief  threat 
ening  to  overcome  his  manhood. 

Still  not  a  tear  wetted  his  cheek,  until  the  body 
disappeared  from  his  view.  Then  nature  triumphed 
and  straying  from  out  the  circle,  he  took  a  seat  apart 
and  wept,  as  one  of  his  years  and  simplicity  would 
be  apt  to  weepi  at  finding  himself  a  solitary  wan 
derer  in  the  wilderness  of  the  world. 

Thus  terminated  the  incident  of  Antonio  Vecchio, 
the  fisherman,  whose  name  soon  ceased  to  be  men 
tioned  in  that  city  of  mysteries,  except  on  the  La- 
gunes,  where  the  men  of  his  craft  long  vaunted  hia 


THE    BRAVO.  441 

merit  with  the  net,  and  the  manner  in  which  he  bore 
away  the  prize  from  the  best  oars  of  Venice.  His 
descendant  lived  and  toiled,  like  others  of  his  con 
dition,  and  we  will  here  dismiss  him,  by  saying,  that 
he  so  far  inherited  the  native  qualities  of  his  ances 
tor,  that  he  forbore  to  appear,  a  few  hours  later,  in 
the  crowd,  which  curiosity  and  vengeance  drew 
into  the  Piazzetta. 

Father  Anselmo  took  boat  to  return  to  the  canals, 
and  when  he  landed  at  the  quay  of  the  smaller 
square,  it  was  with  the  hope  that  he  would  now  be 
permitted  to  seek  those  of  whose  fate  he  was  sti 
ignorant,  but  in  whom  he  felt  so  deep  an  interest. 
Not  so,  however.  The  individual  who  had  address 
ed  him  in  the  cathedral  was,  apparently,  in  waiting 
and  knowing  the  uselessness,  as  well  as  the  dange 
of  remonstrance,  where  the  state  was  concerned 
the  Carmelite  permitted  himself  to  be  conducted 
whither  his  guide  pleased.  They  took  a  devious 
route,  but  it  led  them  to  the  public  prisons.  Here 
the  priest  was  shown  into  the  keeper's  apartment, 
where  he  was  desired  to  wait  a  summons  from  his 
companion. 

Our  business  now  leads  us  to  the  cell  of  Jacopo. 
On  quitting  the  presence  of  the  Three,  he  had  been 
remanded  to  his  gloomy  room,  where  he  passed  the 
night  like  others  similarly  situated.  With  the  ap 
pearance  of  the  dawn  the  Bravo  had  been  led  be 
fore  those  who  ostensibly  discharged  the  duties  of 
his  judges.  We  say  ostensibly,  for  justice  never 
was  yet  pure  under  a  system  in  which  the  govern 
ors  have  an  interest,  in  the  least  separated  from  that 
of  the  governed ;  for  in  all  cases  which  invojve  the 
ascendency  of  the  existing  authorities,  the  instinct 
of  self-preservation  is  as  certain  to  bias  their  decis 
ion,  as  that  of  life  is  to  cause  man  to  shun  danger. 
If  such  is  the  fact  in  countries  of  milder  sway,  the 
reader  will  easily  believe  in  its  existence  in  a  state 


442  THE  BRAVO. 

like  that  of  Venice.  As  may  have  been  anticipated, 
those  who  sat  in  judgment  on  Jacopo  had  their  in 
structions,  and  the  trial  that  ne  sustained  was  ra 
ther  a  concession  to  appearances  than  an  homage  to 
the  laws.  All  the  records  were  duly  made,  wit 
nesses  were  examined,  or  said  to  be  examined,  and 
care  was  had  to  spread  the  rumor  in  the  city,  that 
the  tribunals  were  at  length  occupied  in  deciding  on 
the  case  of  the  extraordinary  man,  who  had  so 
long  been  permitted  to  exercise  his  bloody  profes 
sion  with  impunity,  even  in  the  centre  of  the  canals. 
During  the  morning,  the  credulous  tradesmen  were 
much  engaged  in  recounting  to  each  other  the  dif 
ferent  flagrant  deeds  that,  in  the  course  of  the  last 
three  or  four  years,  had  been  imputed  to  his  hand. 
One  spoke  of  the  body  of  a  stranger  that  had  been 
found  near  the  gaming-houses,  frequented  by  those 
who  visited  Venice.  Another  recalled  the  fate  of 
the  young  noble,  who  had  fallen  by  the  assassin's 
blow  even  on  the  Rialto,  and  another  went  into  the 
details  of  a  murder,  which  had  deprived  a  mother 
of  her  only  son,  and  the  daughter  of  a  patrician  of 
her  love.  In  this  manner,  as  one  after  another  con 
tributed  to  the  list,  a  little  group,  assembled  on  the 
quay,  enumerated  no  less  than  five-and-twenty  lives, 
which  were  believed  to  have  been  taken,  by  the 
hand  of  Jacopo,  without  including  the  vindictive 
and  useless  assassination  of  him  whose  funeral  rites 
had  just  been  celebrated.  Happily,  perhaps,  for  his 
peace  of  mind,  the  subject  of  all  these  rumors,  and 
of  the  maledictions  which  they  drew  upon  his  head, 
knew  nothing  of  either.  Before  his  judges  he  had 
made  no  defence  whatever,  firmly  refusing  to  an 
swer  their  interrogatories. 

"  Ye  know  what  I  have  done,  Messires,"  he  said, 
haughtily.  "  And  what  I  have  not  done,  ye  know 
As  for  yourselves,  look  to  your  own  interests." 

When  again  in  his  cell,  he  demanded  food,  and 


THE   BRAVO.  443 

ate  tranquilly,  though  with  moderation.  Every  in 
strument  which  could  possibly  be  used  against  his 
life,  was  then  removed,  his  irons  were  finally  and 
carefully  examined,  and  he  was  left  to  his  thoughts. 
It  was  in  this  situation  that  the  prisoner  heard  the 
approach  of  footsteps  to  his  cell.  The  bolts  turned, 
and  the  door  opened.  The  form  of  a  priest  appear 
ed  between  him  and  the  day.  The  latter,  however, 
held  a  lamp,  which,  as  the  cell  was  again  shut  and 
secured,  he  placed  on  the  low  shelf  that  held  the 
jug  and  loaf  of  the  prisoner. 

Jacopo  received  his  visitor  calmly,  but  with  the 
deep  respect  of  one  who  reverenced  his  holy  office. 
He  arose,  crossed  himself,  and  advanced  as  far  as 
the  chains  permitted,  to  do  him  honor. 

"  Thou  art  welcome,  father,"  he  said  ;  "  in  cutting 
me  off  from  earth,  the  Council,  I  see,  does  not  wish 
to  cut  me  off  from  God." 

"  That  would  exceed  their  power,  son.  He  who 
died  for  them,  shed  his  blood  for  thee,  if  thou  wilt 
not  reject  his  grace.  But — Heaven  knows  I  say  it 
with  reluctance !  thou  art  not  to  think  that  one  of 
thy  sins,  Jacopo,  can  have  hope  without  deep  and 
heartfelt  repentance  ! " 

"  Father,  have  any?" 

The  Carmelite  started,  for  the  point  of  the  ques 
tion,  and  the  tranquil  tones  of  the  speaker,  had  a 
strange  effect  in  such  an  interview. 

"Thou  art  not  what  I  had  supposed  thee,  Ja 
copo  !"  he  answered.  "  Thy  mind  is  not  altogether 
obscured  in  darkness,  and  thy  crimes  have  been 
committed  against  the  consciousness  of  their  enor 
mity." 

"  I  fear  this  is  true,  reverend  monk." 

"  Thou  must  feel  their  weight  in  the  poignancy  of 
grief — in  the — "  Father  Anselmo  stopped,  for  a  sob 
at  that  moment,  apprized  them  that  they  were 
not  alone.  Moving  aside,  in  a  Tittle  alarm,  the  ac 


444  THE  BRAVO. 

tion  discovered  the  figure  of  the  shrinking  Gelso- 
mina,  who  had  entered  the  cell,  favored  by  the 
keepers,  and  concealed  by  the  robes  of  the  Carmel 
ite.  Jacopo  groaned,  when  he  beheld  her  form, 
and  turning  away,  he  leaned  against  the  wall. 

"Daughter,  why  art  thou  here — and  who  art 
thou?"  demanded  the  monk. 

"  'Tis  the  child  of  the  principal  keeper,"  said  Ja 
copo,  perceiving  that  she  was  unable  to  answer, 
"one  known  to  me,  in  my  frequent  adventures  in 
this  prison." 

The  eye  of  father  Anselmo  wandered  from  one 
to  the  other.  At  first  its  expression  was  severe, 
and  then,  as  it  saw  each  countenance  in  turn,  it  be 
came  less  unkind,  until  it  softened,  at  the  exhibition 
of  their  mutual  agony. 

"  This  comes  of  human  passions  !"  he  said,  in  a 
tone  between  consolation  and  reproof.  "  Such  are 
ever  the  fruits  of  crime." 

"  Father,"  said  Jacopo,  with  earnestness,  "  I  may 
deserve  the  word;  but  the  angels  in  Heaven  are 
scarce  purer  than  this  weeping  girl !" 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  it.  I  will  believe  thee,  unfor 
tunate  man,  and  glad  am  I,  that  thy  soul  is  relieved 
from  the  sin  of  having  corrupted  one  so  youthful." 

The  bosom  of  the  prisoner  heaved,  while  Gelso- 
mina  shuddered. 

"  Why  hast  thou  yielded  to  the  weakness  of  na 
ture,  and  entered  the  cell?"  asked  the  good  Carmel 
ite,  endeavoring  to  throw  into  his  eye  a  reproof, 
that  the  pathos  and  kindness  of  his  tones  contradict 
ed.  "  Didst  thou  know  the  character  of  the  man 
thou  loved?" 

"  Immaculate  Maria !"  exclaimed  the  girl — "  no — 
no — no  ! " 

"  And  now  that  thou  hast  learned  the  truth,  sure- 
ly  thou  art  no  longer  the  victim  of  wayward  fan 
cies  ! " 


THE    BRAVO.  445 

The  gaze  of  Ge.somina  was  bewildered,  but  an 
guish  prevailed  over  all  other  expression.  She 
bowed  her  head,  partly  in  shame,  but  more  in  sor 
row,  without  answering. 

"  I  know  not,  'children,  what  end  this  interview 
can  answer,"  continued  the  monk — "I  am  sent 
hither  to  receive  the  last  confession  of  a  Bravo,  and 
surely,  one  who  has  so  much  cause  to  condemn  the 
deception  he  has  practised,  would  not  wish  to  hear 
the  details  of  such  a  life?" 

"No — no — no — "  murmured  Gelsomina  again, 
enforcing  her  words  with  a  wild  gesture  of  the 
hand. 

"  It  is  better,  father,  that  she  should  believe  me 
all  that  her  fancy  can  imagine  as  monstrous,"  said 
Jacopo,  ifl  a  thick  voice :  "  she  will  then  learn  to 
hate  my  memory." 

Gelsomina  did  not  speak,  but  the  negative  gesture 
was  repeated  franticly. 

"  The  heart  of  the  poor  child  hath  been  sorely 
touched,"  said  the  Carmelite,  with  concern.  "  We 
must  not  treat  so  tender  a  flower  rudely.  Hearken 
to  me,  daughter,  and  consult  thy  reason,  more  than 
thy  weakness." 

"  Question  her  not,  father ; — let  her  curse  me, 
and  depart." 

"  Carlo  ! "  shrieked  Gelsomina. 

A  long  pause  succeeded.  The  monk  perceived 
that  human  passion  was  superior  to  his  art,  and 
that  the  case  must  be  left  to  time ;  while  the  prisoner 
maintained  within  himself,  a  struggle  more  fierce 
than  any  which  it  had  yet  been  his  fate  to  endure. 
The  lingering  desires  of  the  world  conquered,  and 
he  broke  silence. 

"  Father,"  he  said,  advancing  to  the  length  of  hia 

chain,  and  speaking  both  solemnly,  and  with  dignity, 

:<  I  had  hoped — I  had  prayed  that  this  unhappy  but 

innocent  creature  might  have  turned  from  her  own 

2P 


446  THE   BRAVO. 

weakness  with  lothing,  when  she  came  to 
that  the  man  she  loved  was  a  Bravo. — But  I  did 
injustice  to  the  heart  of  woman ! — Tell  me,  Gelso- 
mina,  and  as  thou  valuest  thy  salvation,  deceive  me 
not — canst  thou  look  at  me  without  horror?" 

Gelsomina  trembled,  but  she  raised  her  eyes,  and 
smiled  on  him  as  the  weeping  infant  returns  the 
earnest  and  tender  regard  of  its  mother.  The  effect 
of  that  glance  on  Jacopo  was  so  powerful,  that  his 
sinewy  frame  shook,  until  the  wondering  Carmelite 
heard  the  clanking  of  his  chains. 

"  'Tis  enough,"  he  said,  struggling  to  command 
himself,  "  Gelsomina,  thou  shalt  hear  my  confession. 
Thou  hast  long  been  mistress  of  one  great  secret, 
none  other  shall  be  hid  from  thee." 

"Antonio?"  gasped   the   girl, — "Carlo!    Carlo 
what  had  that  aged  fisherman  done,  that  thy  hand 
should  seek  his  life?" 

"  Antonio  ! "  echoed  the  monk ;  dost  thou  stand 
charged  with  his  death,  my  son  ? " 

"  It  is  the  crime  for  which  I  am  condemned  to 
die." 

The  Carmelite  sank  upon  the  stool  of  the  prison 
er,  and  sat  motionless,  looking  with  an  eye  of  hor 
ror,  from  the  countenance  of  the  unmoved  Jacopo, 
to  that  of  his  trembling  companion.  The  truth  be 
gan  to  dawn  upon  him,  though  his  mind  was  still 
enveloped  in  the  web  of  Venetian  mystery. 

"  Here  is  some  horrible  mistake ! "  he  whispered 
"  I  will  hasten  to  thy  judges  and  undeceive  them." 

The  prisoner  smiled  calmly,  as  he  reached  out  a 
hand  to  arrest  the  zealous  movement  of  the  simple 
Carmelite. 

"'Twill  be  useless,"  he  said;  "it  is  the  pleasure 
of  the  Three,  that  I  should  suffer  for  old  Antonio's 
death." 

"  Then  wilt  thou  die  unjustly ! — I  am  a  witness 
that  he  fell  by  other  hands." 


THE   BRAVO.  447 

"  Father ! "  shrieked  Gelsomina,  "  oh !  repeat  the 
words — say  that  Carlo  could  not  do  the  cruel  deed ! " 

"  Of  that  murder,  at  least,  is  he  innocent." 

"  Gelsomina !  "  said  Jacopo,  struggling  to  stretch 
forth  his  arms  towards  her,  and  yielding  to  a  full 
heart,  "  arid  of  every  other ! " 

A  cry  of  wild  delight  burst  from  the  lips  of  the 
girl,  who  in  the  next  instant  lay  senseless  on  his 
bosom. 

We  draw  the  veil  before  the  scene  that  followed. 
Near  an  hour  must  pass  before  we  can  again  remove 
it.  The  cell  then  exhibited  a  group  in  its  centre, 
over  which  the  lamp  shed  its  feeble  light,  marking 
the  countenances  of  the  different  personages  with 
strong  tints  and  deep  shadows,  in  a  manner  to  bring 
forth  all  the  force  of  Italian  expression.  The  Car 
melite  was  seated  on  the  stool,  while  Jacopo  and 
Gelsomina  knelt  beside  him.  The  former  of  the  two 
last  was  speaking  earnestly,  while  his  auditors 
caught  each  syllable  that  issued  from  his  lips,  as 
if  interest  in  his  innocence  were  still  stronger  than 
curiosity. 

"  I  have  told  you,  father,"  he  continued,  "  that  a 
false  accusation  of  having  wronged  the  customs, 
brought  my  unhappy  parent  under  the  senate's  dis 
pleasure,  and  that  he  was  many  years  an  innocent 
inhabitant  of  one  of  these  accursed  cells,  while  we 
believed  him  in  exile,  among  the  islands.  At  length 
we  succeeded  in  getting  such  proof  before  the  Coun 
cil,  as  ought  to  have  satisfied  the  patricians  of  their 
own  injustice.  I  am  afraid  that  when  men  pretend 
that  the  chosen  of  the  earth  exercise  authority,  they 
are  not  ready  to  admit  their  errors,  for  it  would  be 
proof  against  the  merit  of  their  system.  The  Coun 
cil  delayed  a  weary  time  to  do  us  justice — so  long, 
that  my  poor  mother  sank  under  her  sufferings.  My 
sister,  a  girl  of  Gelsomina's  years,  followed  her 
soon — for  the  only  reason  given  by  the  state,  when 


448  THE    BRAVO. 

pressed  ior  proof,  was  the  suspicion,  that  one  who 
sought  her  love,  was  guilty  of  the  crime  for  which 
my  unhappy  father  perished." 

"And  did  they  refuse  to  repair  their  injustice?" 
exclaimed  the  Carmelite. 

"  They  could  not  do  it,  father,  without  publishing 
their  fallibility.  The  credit  of  certain  great  patri 
cians  was  concerned,  and  I  fear  there  is  a  morality 
in  these  Councils,  which  separates  the  deed  of  the 
man  from  those  of  the  senators,  putting  policy  before 
justice." 

"  This  may  be  true,  son ;  for  when  a  community 
is  grounded  on  false  principles,  its  interests  must,  of 
necessity,  be  maintained  by  sophisms.  God  will 
view  this  act  with  a  different  eye !" 

"  Else  would  the  world  be  hopeless,  father !  After 
years  of  prayers  and  interest,  I  was,  under  a  solemn 
oath  of  secrecy,  admitted  to  my  father's  cell.  There 
was  happiness  in  being  able  to  administer  to  his 
wants — in  hearing  his  voice — in  kneeling  for  his 
blessing.  Gelsomina  was  then  a  child  approaching 
womanhood.  I  knew  not  their  motive,  though  after 
thoughts  left  it  no  secret,  and  I  was  permitted  to  see 
my  father  through  her  means.  When  they  believed 
that  I  was  sufficiently  caught  in  their  toils,  I  was  led 
into  that  fatal  error  which  has  destroyed  my  hopes, 
and  brought  me  to  this  condition." 

"  Thou  hast  affirmed  thy  innocence,  my  son !" 

"  Innocent  of  shedding  blood,  father,  but  not  of 
lending  myself  to  their  artifices.  I  will  not  weary 
you,  holy  monk,  with  the  history  of  the  means  by 
which  they  worked  upon  my  nature.  I  was  sworn 
to  serve  the  state,  as  its  secret  agent,  for  a  certain 
time.  The  reward  was  to  be  my  father's  freedom. 
Had  they  taken  me  in  the  world,  and  in  my  senses, 
their  arts  would  not  have  triumphed;  but  a  daily 
witness  of  the  sufferings  of  him  who  had  given  me 
life,  arid  who  was  now  all  that  was  left  me  in  the 


THE    BRAVO.  449 

world,  they  were  too  strong  for  my  weakness.  They 
whispered  to  me  of  racks  and  wheels,  and  I  was 
shown  paintings  of  dying  martyrs,  that  I  might  un 
derstand  the  agony  they  could  inflict.  Assassina 
tions  were  frequent,  and  called  for  the  care  of  the 
police — in  short,  father" — Jacopo  hid  his  face  in  the 
dress  of  Gelsomina, — "  I  consented  to  let  them  cir 
culate  such  tales  as  might  draw  the  eye  of  the  public 
on  me.  I  need  not  add,  that  he  who  lends  himself  to 
his  own  infamy,  will  soon  attain  his  object." 

"With  what  end  was  this  miserable  falsehood 
invented?" 

"  Father,  I  was  applied  to  as  to  a  public  Bravo, 
and  my  reports,  in  more  ways  than  one,  answered 
their  designs.  That  I  saved  some  lives  is  at  least 
a  consolation  for  the  error,  or  crime,  into  which 
I  fell!" 

"  I  understand  thee,  Jacopo.  I  have  heard  tha* 
Venice  did  not  hesitate  to  use  the  ardent,  and  brave, 
in  this  manner.  Holy  St.  Mark!  can  deceit  like 
this  be  practised  under  the  sanction  of  thy  blessed 
name!" 

"  Father,  it  is,  and  more.  I  had  other  duties,  con 
nected  with  the  interests  of  the  republic,  and  of 
course  I  was  practised  in  their  discharge.  The 
citizens  marvelled  that  one  like  me  should  go  at 
large,  while  the  vindictive  and  revengeful  took  the 
circumstance  as  a  proof  of  address.  When  rumor 
grew  too  strong  for  appearances,  the  Three  took 
measures  to  direct  it  to  other  things ;  and  when  it 
grew  too  faint  for  their  wishes,  it  was  fanned.  In 
short,  for  three  long  and  bitter  years  did  I  pass  the 
life  of  the  damned — sustained  only  by  the  hope  of 
liberating  my  father,  and  cheered  by  the  love  of  this 
innocent!" 

"  Poor  Jacopo,  thou  art  to  be  pitied !  I  will  re 
member  thee  in  my  prayers." 

"And  thou,  Gelsomina?" 
2P2 


450  THE   BRAVO. 

The  keeper's  daughter  did  not  answer.  Her  ears 
had  drunk  in  each  syllable  that  fell  from  his  lips,  and 
now  that  the  whole  truth  began  to  dawn  on  her 
mind,  there  was  a  bright  radiance  in  her  eye,  that 
appeared  almost  supernatural  to  those  who  wit 
nessed  it. 

"  If  I  have  failed  in  convincing  thee,  Gelsomina," 
continued  Jacopo,  "that  I  am  not  the  wretch  I 
seemed,  would  that  I  had  been  dumb !" 

She  stretched  a  hand  towards  him,  and  dropping 
her  head  on  his  bosom,  wept. 

"  I  see  all  thy  temptations,  poor  Carlo,"  she  said, 
softly ;  "  I  know  how  strong  was  thy  love  for  thy 
father." 

"  Dost  thou  forgive  me,  dearest  Gelsomina,  for  the 
deception  on  thy  innocence?" 

"  There  was  no  deception — I  believed  thee  a  son 
ready  to  die  for  his  father,  and  I  find  thee  what  I 
thought  thee." 

The  good  Carmelite  regarded  this  scene  with 
eyes  of  interest  and  indulgence. — Tears  wetted  his 
cheeks. 

"  Thy  affection  for  each  other,  children,"  he  said, 
"  is  such  as  angels  might  indulge. — Has  thy  inter 
course  been  of  long  date?" 

"  It  has  lasted  years,  father." 

"And  thou,  daughter,  hast  been  with  Jacopo  in 
the  cell  of  his  parent?" 

"  I  was  his  constant  guide,  on  these  holy  errands 
%ther." 

The  monk  mused  deeply.  After  a  silence  of 
several  minutes,  he  proceeded  to  the  duties  of  his 
holy  office.  Receiving  the  spiritual  confession  of 
the  prisoner,  he  gave  the  absolution,  with  a  fervoi; 
which  proved  how  deeply  his  sympathies  were  en 
listed  in  behalf  of  the  youthful  pair.  This  duty 
done,  he  gave  Gelsomina  his  hand,  and  there  was  a 


THE   BRAVO.  451 

mild  confidence  in  his  countenance,  as  ne  took  leave 
of  Jacopo. 

"  We  quit  thee,"  he  said ;  "  but  be  of  heart,  son. 
I  cannot  think  that  even  Venice  will  .be  deaf  to  a 
tale  like  thine !  Trust  first  to  thy  God — and,  believe 
that  neither  this  faithful  girl  nor  I  will  abandon  thee, 
without  an  effort." 

Jacopo  received  this  assurance  like  one  accustom 
ed  to  exist  in  extreme  jeopardy.  The  smile  which 
accompanied  his  own  adieux,  had  in  it  as  much  of 
incredulity,  as  of  melancholy.  It  was,  however, 
full  of  the  joy  of  a  lightened  heart. 


CHAPTEK  XXXI. 

"  Your  heart 

Is  free,  and  quick  with  virtuous  wrath  to  accuse 
Appearances ;  and  views  a  criminal 
In  innocence's  shadow." 

Werner. 

THE  Carmelite  and  Gelsomina  found  the  keepers 
In  waiting,  and  when  they  quitted  the  cell,  its  door 
was  secured  for  the  night.  As  they  had  no  farther 
concerns  with  the  jailers,  they  passed  on  unquestion 
ed.  But  when  the  end  of  the  corridor,  which  led 
towards  the  apartments  of  the  keeper,  was  reached, 
the  monk  stopped. 

"  Art  thou  equal  to  a  great  effort,  in  order  that 
the  innocent  shall  not  die?"  he  suddenly  asked, 
though  with  a  solemnity  that  denoted  the  influence 
of  a  high  and  absorbing  motive. 

"Father!" 

"  I  would  know  if  thy  love  for  the  youth  can  sus- 


452  THE    BRAVO 

tain  thee  in  a  trying  scene ;  for  without  this  effort 
ne  will  surely  perish  ! " 

"  I  would  die  to  save  Jacopo  a  pang !" 

"  Deceive  not  thyself,  daughter  ! — Canst  ihou  for 
get  thy  habits,  overstep  the  diffidence  of  thy  years 
and  condition  ;  stand  and  speak  fearlessly,*  in  the 
presence  of  the  great  and  dreaded?" 

"  Reverend  Carmelite,  I  speak  daily,  without  fear, 
though  not  without  awe,  to  one  more  to  be  dreaded 
than  any  in  Venice." 

The  monk  looked  in  admiration  at  the  gentle  be 
ing,  whose  countenance  was  glowing  with  the  mild 
resolution  of  innocence  and  affection,  and  he  mo 
tioned  for  her  to  follow. 

"  We  will  go,  then,  before  the  proudest  and  the 
most  fearful  of  earth,  should  there  be  occasion,"  he 
resumed.  "  We  will  do  our  duty  to  both  parties ;  to 
the  oppressor  and  the  oppressed,  that  the  sin  of 
omission  lie  not  on  our  souls." 

Father  Anselmo,  without  further  explanation,  led 
the  obedient  girl  into  that  part  of  the  palace,  which 
was  known  to  be  appropriated  to  the  private  uses  of 
the  titular  head  of  the  republic. 

The  jealousy  of  the  Venetian  patricians,  on  the 
subject  of  their  doge,  is  matter  of  history.  He 
was,  by  situation,  a  puppet  in  the  hands  of  the  no 
bles,  who  only  tolerated  his  existence,  because  the 
theory  of  their  government  required  a  seeming  agent 
in  the  imposing  ceremonies  that  formed  part  of  their 
specious  system,  and  in  their  intercourse  with  other 
states.  He  dwelt,  in  his  palace,  like  the  queen-bee 
in  the  hive,  pampered  and  honored  to  the  eye,  but 
in  truth  devoted  to  the  objects  of  those  who  alone 
possess  the  power  to  injure,  and  perhaps  we  might 
add,  like  the  insect  named,  known  for  consuming 
more  than  a  usual  portion  of  the  fruits  of  the  com 
mon  industry. 

Father  Anselmo  was  indebted  to  his  own  decis 


THE  BRAVO.  453 

ion,  and  to  the  confidence  of  his  manner,  in  reach 
ing  the  private  apartments  of  a  prince,  thus  se 
cluded  and  watched.  He  was  permitted  to  pass  by 
various  sentinels,  who  imagined,  from  his  holy  call 
ing  and  calm  step,  that  he  was  some  friar  employed 
in  his  usual  and  privileged  office.  By  this  easy, 
quiet,  method  did  the  Carmelite  and  his  companion 
penetrate  to  the  very  antechamber  of  the  sovereign, 
a  spot  that  thousands  had  been  defeated  in  attempt 
ing  to  reach,  by  means  more  elaborate. 

There  were  merely  two  or  three  drowsy  inferior 
officers  of  the  household  in  waiting.  One  arose, 
quickly,  at  the  unexpected  appearance  of  these  un 
known  visitors,  expressing,  by  the  surprise  and  the 
confusion  of  his  eye,  the  wonder  into  which  he  was 
thrown  by  so  unlooked-for  guests. 

"His  highness  waits  for  us,  I  fear?"  simply  ob 
served  father  Anselmo,  who  had  known  how  to 
quiet  his  concern,  in  a  look  of  passive  courtesy. 

"  Santa  Maria !  holy  father,  you  should  know 
best,  but " 

"  We  will  not  lose  more  time  in  idle  words,  son, 
when  there  has  already  been  this  delay — show  us 
to  the  closet  of  his  highness." 

"  It  is  forbidden  to  usher  any,  unannounced,  into 
the  presence " 

"  Thou  seest  this  is  not  an  ordinary  visit. — Go, 
inform  the  doge  that  the  Carmelite  he  expects,  and 
the  youthful  maiden,  in  whom  his  princely  bosom 
feels  so  parental  an  interest,  await  his  pleasure." 

"  His  highness  has  then  commanded " 

"  Tell  him,  moreover,  that  time  presses ;  for  the 
hour  is  near  when  innocence  is  condemned  to  suf 
fer." 

The  usher  was  deceived  by  the  gravity  and  as 
surance  of  the  monk.  He  hesitated,  and  then  throw 
ing  open  a  door,  he  showed  the  visitors  into  an 
mner  room,  where  he  requested  them  to  await  his 


454  THE  BRAVO. 

return.  After  this,  he  went  on  the  desired  commis 
sion,  to  the  closet  of  his  master. 

It  has  already  been  shown  that  the  reigning  doge, 
if  such  a  title  can  be  used  of  a  prince  who  was 
merely  a  tool  of  the  aristocracy,  was  a  man  ad 
vanced  in  years.  He  had  thrown  aside  the  cares 
of  the  day,  and,  in  the  retirement  of  his  privacy, 
was  endeavoring  to  indulge  those  human  sympa 
thies  that  had  so  little  play  in  the  ordinary  duties 
of  his  factitious  condition,  by  holding  intercourse  with 
the  mind  of  one  of  the  classics  of  his  country.  His 
state  was  laid  aside  for  lighter  ease  and  personal 
freedom.  The  monk  could  not  have  chosen  a  hap 
pier  moment  for  his  object,  since  the  man  was  un 
defended  by  the  usual  appliances  of  his  rank,  and 
he  was  softened  by  communion  with  one  who  had 
known  how  to  mould  and  temper  the  feelings  of  his 
readers  at  will.  So  entire  was  the  abstraction  of 
the  doge,  at  the  moment,  that  the  usher  entered  un 
heeded,  and  had  stood  in  respectful  attention  to  his 
sovereign's  pleasure,  near  a  minute  before  he  was 
seen. 

"What  would'st  thou,  Marco?"  demanded  the 
prince,  when  his  eye  rose  from  the  page. 

"  Signore,"  returned  the  officer,  using  the  fami 
liar  manner  in  which  those  nearest  to  the  persons 
of  princes  are  permitted  to  indulge — "  here  are  the 
reverend  Carmelite,  and  the  young  girl,  in  waiting." 

"  How  sayest  thou? — a  Carmelite,  and  a  girl !" 

"  Signore,  the  same.  Those  whom  your  highness 
expects." 

"  What  bold  pretence  is  this  ! " 

"  Signore,  I  do  but  repeat  the  wrords  of  the  monk. 
'  Tell  his  highness/  said  the  father,  t  that  the  Car 
melite  he  wrishes  to  see,  and  the  young  girl,  in 
whose  happiness  his  princely  bosom  feels  so  parental 
an  interest,  await  his  pleasure.' " 

There  passed  a  glow,  in  which  indignation  was 


THE  BRAVO.  455 

brighter  than  shame,  over  the  wasted  cheek  of  the 
old  prince,  and  his  eye  kindled. 

"  And  this  to  me — even  in  my  palace ! " 

"  Pardon,  Signore. — This  is  no.  shameless  priest, 
like  so  many  that  disgrace  the  tonsure.  Both  monk 
and  girl  have  innocent  and  harmless  looks,  and  1 
do  suspect  your  highness  may  have  forgotten." 

The  bright  spots  disappeared  from  the  prince's 
cheeks,  and  his  eye  regained  its  paternal  expres 
sion.  But  age,  and  experience  in  his  delicate  du 
ties,  had  taught  the  Doge  of  Venice  caution.  He 
well  knew  that  memory  had  not  failed  him,  and  he 
at  once  saw  that  a  hidden  meaning  lay  concealed 
beneath  an  application  so  unusual.  There  might  be 
a  device  of  his  enemies,  who  were  numerous  and 
active,  or,  in  truth,  there  might  be  some  justifiable 
motive  to  warrant  the  applicant  in  resorting  to  a 
measure  so  hardy. 

"  Did  the  Carmelite  say  more,  good  Marco  ? "  he 
asked,  after  deep  reflection. 

'•  Signore,  he  said  there  was  great  urgency,  as 
the  hour  was  near  when  the  innocent  might  suffer. 
I  doubt  not  that  he  comes  with  a  petition  in  behalf 
of  some  young  indiscreet,  for  there  are  said  to  be 
several  young  nobles  arrested  for  their  follies  in  the 
carnival.  The  female  may  be  a  sister  disguised." 

"  Bid  one  of  thy  companions  come  hither  ;  and, 
when  I  touch  my  bell,  do  thou  usher  these  visit 
ors  to  my  presence." 

The  attendant  withdrew,  taking  care  to  pass  into 
the  antechamber,  by  doors  that  rendered  it  unne 
cessary  to  show  himself,  too  soon,  to  those  who  ex 
pected  his  return.  The  second  usher  quickly  made 
his  appearance,  and  was  immediately  dispatched  in 
quest  of  one  of  the  Three,  who  was  occupied  with 
important  papers,  in  an  adjoining  closet.  The  sen 
ator  was  not  slow  to  obey  the  summons,  for  he  ap 


456  THE  BRAVO. 

peared  there  as  a  friend  of  the  prince,  having  been 
admitted  publicly,  and  with  the  customary  honors. 

"  Here  are  visitors  of  an  unusual  character,  Sig- 
nore,"  said  the  doge,  rising  to  receive  him  whom 
he  had  summoned  in  precaution  to  himself,  "  and  1 
would  have  a  witness  of  their  requests." 

"  Your  highness  does  well  to  make  us  of  the  sen 
ate  share  your  labors ;  though  if  any  mistaken  opin 
ion  of  the  necessity  has  ed  you  to  conceive  it  im 
portant  to  call  a  counsellor  each  time  a  guest  enters 
the  palace " 

"  It  is  well,  Signore,"  mildly  interrupted  the 
prince,  touching  the  bell.  "  I  hope  my  importunity 
has  not  deranged  you.  But  here  come  those  I  ex 
pect." 

Father  Ariselmo  and  Gelsomina  entered  the  closet 
together.  The  first  glance  convinced  the  doge  that 
he  received  strangers.  He  exchanged  looks  with 
the  member  of  the  secret  council,  and  each  saw  in 
the  other's  eye,  that  the  surprise  was  mutual. 

When  fairly  in  the  presence,  the  Carmelite  threw 
back  his  cowl,  entirely  exposing  the  whole  of  his 
ascetic  features,  while  Gelsomina,  awed  by  the  rank 
of  him  who  received  them,  shrunk  abashed,  partly 
concealed  by  his  robes. 

"  What  means  this  visit?"  demanded  the  prince, 
whose  finger  pointed  to  the  shrinking  form  of  the 
girl,  while  his  eye  rested  steadily  on  that  of  the 
monk,  "  and  that  unusual  companion  1  Neither  the 
hour,  nor  the  mode,  is  customary." 

Father  Anselmo  stood  before  the  Venetian  sove 
reign  for  the  first  time.  Accustomed,  like  all  of 
that  region,  and  more  especially  in  that  age,  to  cal 
culate  his  chances  of  success  warily,  before  ven 
turing  to  disburthen  his  mind,  the  monk  fastened  a 
penetrating  IOOK  on  his  interrogator. 

"  Illustrious  prince,"  he  said,  "  we  come  petitioners 
for  justice.  They  who  are  thus  commissioned  had 


TIIE   BRAVO.  457 

need  be  bold,  lest  they  do  their  own  character,  and 
their  righteous  office,  discredit." 

"  Justice  is  the  glory  of  St.  Mark,  and  the  happi 
ness  of  his  subjects.  Thy  course,  father,  is  not  ac 
cording  to  established  rules,  and  wholesome  re 
straints,  but  it  may  have  its  aoology — name  thy  er 
rand." 

"  There  is  one  in  the  cells,  condemned  of  the  pub 
lic  tribunals,  and  he  must  die  with  the  return  of 
day,  unless  your  princely  authority  interfere  to  save 
him." 

"  One  condemned  of  the  tribunals  may  merit  his 
fate." 

"  I  am  the  ghostly  adviser  of  the  unhappy  youth, 
and  in  the  execution  of  my  sacred  office,  I  have 
learned  that  he  is  innocent." 

"  Didst  thou  say,  condemned  of  the  common 
judges,  father  ? " 

"  Sentenced  to  die,  highness,  by  a  decree  of  the 
criminal  tribunals." 

The  prince  appeared  relieved.  So  long  as  the 
affair  had  been  public,  there  was  at  least  reason  to 
believe  he  might  indulge  his  love  of  the  species,  by 
listening  farther,  without  offence  to  the  tortuous 
policy  of  the  state.  Glancing  his  eye  at  the  motion 
less  inquisitor,  as  if  to  seek  approbation,  he  advanced 
a  step  nearer  to  the  Carmelite,  with  increasing 
interest  in  the  application. 

"  By  what  authority,  reverend  priest,  dost  thou 
impeach  the  decision  of  the  judges  ?  "  he  demanded. 

"  Signore,  as  I  have  just  said,  in  virtue  of  know 
ledge  gained  in  the  exercise  of  my  holy  office.  He  has 
laid  bare  his  soul  to  me,  as  one  whose  feet  were  in 
the  grave;  and,  though  offending,  like  all  born  of 
woman,  towards  his  God,  he  is  guiltless  as  respects 
the  state." 

%  "  Thinkest  thou,  father,  that  the  law  would  ever 
"each  its  victim,  were  we  to  listen  only  to  self-accu- 


458  THE  BRAVO. 

sations  ?  I  am  old,  monk,  and  have  long  worn  that 
troublesome  cap,"  pointing  to  the  horned  bonnet, 
which  lay  near  his  hand,  the  symbol  of  his  state, 
"  and  in  my  day,  I  do  not  recall  the  criminal  that 
has  not  fancied  himself  the  victim  of  untoward  cir 
cumstances." 

"  That  men  apply  this  treacherous  solace  to  their 
consciences,  one  of  my  vocation  has  not  to  learn. 
Our  chief  task  is  to  show  the  delusion  of  those, 
who,  while  condemning  their  own  sins,  by  words 
of  confession  and  self-abasement,  make  a  merit  of 
humility ;  but,  Doge  of  Venice,  there  is  still  a  virtue 
in  the  sacred  rite  I  have  this  evening  been  required 
to  perform,  which  can  overcome  the  mounting  of 
the  most  exalted  spirit.  Many  attempt  to  deceive 
themselves,  at  the  confessional,  while,  by  the  power 
of  God,  few  succeed." 

"  Praised  be  the  blessed  mother  and  the  incarnate 
son,  that  it  is  so  !  "  returned  the  prince,  struck  by 
the  mild  faith  of  the  monk,  and  crossing  himself, 
reverently.  "  Father,  thou  hast  forgotten  to  name 
the  condemned  ? " 

"  It  is  a  certain  Jacopo  Frontoni ; — a  reputed 
bravo." 

The  start,  the  changing  color,  and  the  glance  of 
the  prince  of  Venice,  were  full  of  natural  surprise. 

"  Callest  thou  the  bloodiest  stiletto  that  ever  dis 
graced  the  city,  the  weapon  of  a  reputed  bravo ! 
The  arts  of  the  monster  have  prevailed  over  thy  ex 
perience,  monk! — the  true  confession  of  such  a 
wretch,  would  be  but  a  history  of  bloody  and  re 
volting  crimes." 

"  I  entered  his  cell  with  this  opinion,  but  I  left  it 
convinced  that  the  public  sentiment  has  done  him 
wrong.  If  your  highness  will  deign  hear  his  tale, 
vou  will  think  him  a  fit  subject  for  your  pity,  rather 
than  for  punishment." 

"Of  all  the  criminals  of  my  reign,  this  is  the 


THE    BRAVO.  459 

ast,  in  wn«^3  favor  I  could  have  imagined  there 
was  aught  to  be  said  ! — Speak,  freely,  Carmelite : 
for  curiosity  is  as  strong  as  wonder." 

So  truly  did  the  Doge  give  utterance  to  his  feel 
ings,  that  he  momentarily  forgot  the  presence  of 
the  inquisitor,  whose  countenance  might  have 
shown  him  that  the  subject  was  getting  to  be  grave. 

The  monk  ejaculated  a  thanksgiving,  for  it  was 
not  always  easy,  in  that  city  of  mystery,  to  bring  truth 
to  the  ears  of  the  great.  When  men  live  under  a 
system  of  duplicity,  more  or  less  of  the  quality  gets 
interwoven  with  the  habits  of  the  most  ingenuous, 
although  they  may  remain,  themselves,  unconscious 
of  the  taint.  Thus  father  Anselmo,  as  he  proceed 
ed  with  the  desired  explanation,  touched  more  ten- 
lei'y  on  the  practices  of  the  state,  and  used  more 
of  reserve  in  alluding  to  those  usages  and  opinions, 
which  one  of  his  holy  calling  and  honest  nature, 
under  other  circumstances,  would  have  fearlessly 
condemned. 

"  It  may  not  be  known  to  one  of  your  high  con 
dition,  sovereign  prince,"  resumed  the  Carmelite. 
'*  that  an  humble,  but  laborious  mechanic  of  this  city, 
a  certain  Francesco  Frontoni,  was  long  since  con 
demned  for  frauds  against  the  republic's  revenue. 
This  is  a  prime  St.  Mark  never  fails  to  visit  with 
his  heavy  displeasure,  for  when  men  place  the 
goods  of  the  world  before  all  other  considerations, 
they  mistake  the  objects  which  have  brought  them 
together  in  social  union." 

"  Father,  thou  wert  speaking  of  a  certain  Fran 
cesco  Frontoni  ? " 

"Highness,  such  was  his  name.  The  unhappy 
man  had  taken  into  his  confidence  and  friendship, 
one,  who,  pretending  to  his  daughter's  love,  might 
appear  to  be  the  master  of  his  secrets.  When  this 
false  suitor  stood  on  the  verge  of  detection,  for  of 
"ences  against  the  customs,  he  laid  a  snare  of  de- 


460  THE    BRAVO 

ception,  which,  while  he  was  permitted  to  escape, 
drew  the  anger  of  the  state  on  his  too  confiding 
friend.  Francesco  was  condemned  to  the  cells,  un 
til  he  might  reveal  facts  which  never  had  an  exist 
ence." 

"  This  is  a  hard  fate,  reverend  friar,  could  it  be 
but  proved!" 

"  'Tis  the  evil  of  secrecy  and  intrigue,  great  doge, 
in  managing  the  common  interests ! — " 

"  Hast  thou  more  of  this  Francesco,  monk?" 

"  His  history  is  short,  Signore ;  for  at  the  age  when 
most  men  are  active  in  looking  to  their  welfare,  he 
was  pining  in  a  prison." 

"  I  remember  to  have  heard  of  some  such  accu 
sation —  but  it  occurred  in  the  reign  of  the  last  doge — • 
did  it  not,  father?" 

"  And  he  has  endured  to  near  the  close  of  the 
reign  of  this,  highness ! " 

"  How !  The  senate,  when  apprized  of  the  error 
of  its  judgment,  was  not  slow  to  repair  the  wrong !" 

The  monk  regarded  the  prince  earnestly,  as  if  he 
would  make  certain  whether  the  surprise  he  witness 
ed  was  not  a  piece  of  consummate  acting.  He  felt 
convinced  that  the  affair  was  one  of  that  class  of 
acts,  which,  however  oppressive,  unjust,  and  de 
structive  of  personal  happiness,  had  not  sufficient 
importance  to  come  before  them,  who  govern  under 
systems  which  care  more  for  their  own  preserva 
tion,  than  for  the  good  of  the  ruled.  "Signer 
Doge,"  he  said,  "  the  state  is  discreet  in  matters  that 
touch  its  own  reputation.  There  are  reasons  that  I 
shall  not  presume  to  examine,  why  the  cell  of  poor 
Francesco  was  kept  closed,  long  after  the  death  and 
confession  of  his  accuser  left  his  innocence  beyond 
dispute." 

The  prince  mused,  and  then  he  bethought  him  to 
consult  the  countenance  of  his  companion.  The 
marble  of  the  pilaster,  against  which  he  leaned,  wag 


THE   BRAVO.  461 

not  more  cold  and  unmoved  than  the  face  of  the  in 
quisitor.  The  man  had  learned  to  smother  every 
natural  impulse  in  the  assumed  and  factitious  duties 
of  his  office. 

"  And  what  has  this  case  of  Francesco  to  do  with 
the  execution  of  the  Bravo?"  demanded  the  doge, 
after  a  pause,  in  which  he  had  in  vain  struggled  to 
assume  the  indifference  of  his  counsellor. 

"  That  I  shall  leave  this  prison-keeper's  daughter 
to  explain — stand  forth,  child,  and  relate  what  you 
know,  remembering,  if  you  speak  before  the  prince 
of  Venice,  that  you  also  speak  before  the  King  of 
Heaven!" 

Gelsomina  trembled,  for  one  of  her  habits,  how 
ever  supported  by  her  motives,  could  not  overcome 
a  nature  so  retiring  without  a  struggle.  But  faithful 
to  her  promise,  and  sustained  by  her  affection  for 
the  condemned,  she  advanced  a  step,  and  stood  no 
longer  concealed  by  the  robes  of  the  Carmelite. 

"Thou  art  the  daughter  of  the  prison-keeper?" 
asked  the  prince  mildly,  though  surprise  was  strongly 
painted  in  his  eye. 

"  Highness,  we  are  poor,  and  we  are  unfortunate : 
we  serve  the  state  for  bread." 

"  Ye  serve  a  noble  master,  child.  Dost  thou  know 
aught  of  this  Bravo?" 

"  Dread  sovereign,  they  that  call  him  thus,  know 
not  his  heart !  One  more  true  to  his  friends,  more 
faithful  to  his  word,  or  more  suppliant  with  the  saints, 
than  Jacopo  Frontoni,  is  not  in  Venice!" 

"  This  is  a  character  which  art  might  appropriate, 
even  to  a  bravo.  But  we  waste  the  moments. — 
What  have  these  Frontoni,  in  common?" 

"  Highness,  they  are  father  and  son.  When  Jacopo 
came  to  be  of  an  age  to  understand  the  misfortunes 
of  his  family,  he  wearied  the  senators  with  applica 
tions  in  his  father's  behalf,  until  they  commanded  the 
door  of  the  cell  to  be  secretly  opened  to  a  child  so 
2Q2 


462  THE    BRAVO. 

pious.  1  well  know,  great  prince,  that  they  who  lule 
cannot  have  all-seeing  eyes,  else  could  this  wrong 
never  have  happened.  But  Francesco  wasted  years 
in  cells,  chill  and  damp  in  winter,  and  scorching  in 
summer,  before  the  falsehood  of  the  accusation  was 
known.  Then,  as  some  relief  to  sufferings  so  little 
merited,  Jacopo  was  admitted." 

"With  what  object,  girl?" 

"  Highness,  was  it  not  in  pity  ?  They  promised 
too,  that  in  good  time,  the  service  of  the  son  should 
buy  the  father's  liberty.  The  patricians  were  slow 
to  be  convinced,  and  they  made  terms  with  poor 
Jacopo,  who  agreed  to  undergo  a  hard  service,  that 
his  father  might  breathe  free  air,  before  he  died." 

"  Thou  dealest  in  enigmas." 

"  I  am  little  used,  great  doge,  to  speak  in  such  a 
presence,  or  on  such  subjects.  But  this  I  know,  that 
for  three  weary  years  hath  Jacopo  been  admitted  to 
his  father's  cell,  and  that  those  up  above  consented 
to  the  visits ;  else  would  my  father  have  denied  them. 
I  was  his  companion  in  the  holy  act,  and  will  call 
the  blessed  Maria  and  the  saints " 

"  Girl,  didst  thou  know  him  for  a  bravo  ?  " 

"  Oh !  Highness,  no.  To  me  he  seemed  a  dutiful 
child,  fearing  God  and  honoring  his  parent.  I  hope 
never  to  feel  another  pang,  like  that  which  chilled 
my  heart,  when  they  said,  he  I  had  known  as  the 
kind  Carlo,  was  hunted  in  Venice  as  the  abhorred 
Jacopo !  But  it  is  passed,  the  Mother  of  God  be 
praised!" 

"  Thou  art  betrothed  to  this  condemned  man?" 

The  color  did  not  deepen  on  the  cheek  of  Gelso- 
mina,  at  this  abrupt  question,  for  the  tie  between  her 
and  Jacopo  had  become  too  sacred,  for  the  ordinary 
weaknesses  of  her  sex. 

"  Highness,  yes ;  we  were  to  be  married,  should 
it  have  pleased  God,  and  those  great  senators  who 


THE    BRAVO.  463 

nave  so  much  influence  over  the  happiness  of  the 
poor,  to  permit  it." 

"  And  thou  art  still  willing,  knowing  the  man,  to 
pledge  thy  vows  to  one  like  Jacopo  ! " 

"  It  is  because  I  do  know  him  to  be  as  he  is,  that 
I  most  reverence  him,  great  doge.  He  has  sold  his 
time  and  his  good  name  to  the  state,  in  order  to 
save  his  imprisoned  father,  and  in  that  I  see  nothing 
to  frighten  one  he  loves." 

"  This  affair  needs  explanation,  Carmelite.  The 
girl  has  a  heated  fancy,  and  she  renders  that  obscure 
she  should  explain." 

"  Illustrious  prince,  she  would  say  that  the  re 
public  was  content  to  grant  the  son  the  indulgence 
of  visiting  the  captive,  with  some  encouragement 
of  his  release,  on  condition  that  the  youth  might 
serve  the  police  by  bearing  a  bravo's  reputation." 

"  And  for  this  incredible  tale,  father,  you  have  the 
word  of  a  condemned  criminal !" 

"  With  the  near  view  of  death  before  his  eyes. 
There  are  means  of  rendering  truth  evident,  fa 
miliar  to  those  who  are  often  near  the  dying  peni 
tents,  that  are  unknown  to  those  of  the  world. 
In  any  case,  Signore,  the  matter  is  worthy  of  in 
vestigation." 

"  In  that  thou  art  right.  Is  the  hour  named  for 
the  execution?" 

"  With  the  morning  light,  prince." 

"And  the  father  1" 

« Is  dead." 

"  A  prisoner,  Carmelite  !" 

"  A  prisoner,  Prince  of  Venice." 

There  was  a  pause. 

"  Hast  thou  heard  of  the  death  ot  one  namei 
Antonio  ?  " 

"  Signore,  yes.  By  the  sacred  nature  of  my  holy 
office,  do  I  affirm  that  of  this  crime  is  Jacopo  inno 
cent !  I  shrived  the  fisherman." 


464  THE   BRAVO. 

The  doge  turned  away,  for  the  truth  began  to 
dawn  upon  him,  and  the  flush  which  glowed  on  his 
aged  cheek,  contained  a  confession  that  might  not 
be  observed  by  every  eye.  He  sought  the  glance 
of  his  companion,  but  his  own  expression  of  hu 
man  feeling  was  met  by  the  disciplined  features  of 
the  other,  as  light  is  coldly  repelled  from  polished 
stone. 

"  Highness !"  added  a  tremulous  voice. 

"  What  would'st  thou,  child  V9 

"  There  is  a  God  for  the  republic,  as  well  as  for 
the  gondolier !  Your  highness  will  turn  this  great 
crime  from  Venice  ?" 

"  Thou  art  of  plain  speech,  girl ! " 

"  The  danger  of  Carlo  has  made  me  bold.  You 
are  much  beloved  by  the  people,  and  none  speak 
of  you,  that  they  do  not  speak  of  your  goodness, 
and  of  your  desire  to  serve  the  poor.  You  are  the 
root  of  a  rich  and  happy  family,  and  you  will  not 
— nay,  you  cannot  if  you  would,  think  it  a  crime 
for  a  son  to  devote  all  to  a  father.  You  are  our 
father,  and  we  have  a  right  to  come  to  you,  even 
for  mercy — but,  highness,  I  ask  only  for  justice." 

"  Justice  is  the  motto  of  Venice." 

"  They  who  live  in  the  high  favor  of  providence 
do  not  always  know  what  the  unhappy  undergo. 
It  has  pleased  God  to  afflict  my  own  poor  mother, 
who  has  griefs  that,  but  for  her  patience  and  Chris 
tian  faith,  would  have  been  hard  to  bear.  The 
little  care  I  had  it  in  my  power  to  show,  first  caught 
Jacopo's  eye,  for  his  heart  was  then  full  of  the  duty 
of  the  child.  Would  your  highness  consent  to  see 
poor  Carlo,  or  to  command  him  to  be  brought  hither, 
his  simple  tale  would  give  the  lie  to  every  foul  slan 
der  they  have  dared  to  say  against  him. 

"  It  is  unnecessary — it  is  unnecessary.  Thy  faith 
m  his  innocence,  girl,  is  more  eloquent  than  any 
words  of  his  can  prove." 


THE   BRAVO.  465 

A  gleam  of  joy  irradiated  the  face  of  Gelsomma, 
who  turned  eagerly  to  the  listening  monk,  as  she 
continued — 

"  His  highness  listens,"  she  said,  "  and  we  shall 
prevail!"  Father,  they  menace  in  Venice,  and 
alarm  the  timid,  but  they  will  never  do  the  deed  we 
feared.  Is  not  the  God  of  Jacopo  my  God,  and 
your  God  ? — the  God  of  the  senate,  and  of  the  doge  . 
— of  the  Council,  and  of  the  republic  1  I  would  the 
secret  members  of  the  Three  could  have  seen  poor 
Jacopo,  as  I  have  seen  him,  coming  from  his  toil, 
weary  with  labor,  and  heart-broken  with  delay,  enter 
the  winter  or  the  summer  cell — chilling  or  scorching 
as  the  season  might  be — and  struggling  to  be  cheer 
ful,  that  the  falsely  accused  might  not  feel  a  greater 
weight  of  misery. — Oh !  venerable  and  kind  prince, 
you  little  know  the  burthen  that  the  feeble  are  often 
made  to  carry,  for  to  you  life  has  been  sunshine  ; 
but  there  are  millions  who  are  condemned  to  do 
that  they  lothe,  that  they  may  not  do  that  they 
dread." 

"  Child,  thou  tell'st  me  nothing  new." 

"  Except  in  convincing  you,  highness,  that  Jaco- 
DO  is  not  the  monster  they  would  have  him.  I  do 
not  know  the  secret  reasons  of  the  councils  for 
wishing  the  youth  to  lend  himself  to  a  deception 
that  had  nigh  proved  so  fatal ;  but  all  is  explained, 
we  have  naught  now  to  fear.  Come,  father;  we 
will  leave  the  good  and  just  doge  to  go  to  rest,  as 
suits  his  years,  and  we  will  return  'to  gladden  the 
heart  of  Jacopo  with  our  success,  and  thank  the 
blessed  Maria  for  her  favor." 

"  Stay ! "  exclaimed  the  half-stifled  old  man.  "  Is 
this  true  that  thou  tellest  me,  girl : — Father,  can  it 
oe  so!" 

"  Signore,  I  have  said  all  that  truth  and  my  con 
science  have  prompted." 

The  prince  seemed  bewildered,  turning  his  look 


466  THE  BRAVO. 

from  the  motionless  girl  to  the  equally  immovable 
member  of  the  Three. 

"  Come  hither,  child,"  he  said,  his  oice  trembling 
as  he  spoke.  "  Come  hither,  that  I  may  bless  thee." 
Gelsomina  sprang  forward,  and  knelt  at  the  feet  of 
her  sovereign.  Father  Anselmo  never  uttered  a 
clearer  or  more  fervent  benediction  than  that  which 
fell  from  the  lips  of  the  prince  of  Venice.  He 
raised  the  daughter  of  the  prison-keeper,  and  mo 
tioned  for  both  his  visitors  to  withdraw.  Gelsomi 
na  willingly  complied,  for  her  heart  was  already  in 
the  cell  of  Jacopo,  in  the  eagerness  to  communicate 
her  success ;  but  the  Carmelite  lingered  to  cast  a 
look  behind,  like  one  better  acquainted  with  the 
effects  of  worldly  policy,  when  connected  with  the 
interests  of  those  who  pervert  governments  to  the 
advantage  of  the  privileged.  As  he  passed  through 
the  door,  however,  he  felt  his  hopes  revive,  for  he 
saw  the  aged  prince,  unable  any  longer  to  suppress 
his  feelings,  hastening  towards  his  still  silent  com 
panion,  with  both  hands  extended,  eyes  moistening 
•with  tears,  and  a  look  that  betrayed  the  emotions 
of  one  anxious  to  find  relief  in  human  sympathies. 


CHAPTEK  XXXII. 

"  On— on— 
It  w  our  knell,  or  that  of  Venice. — On." 

Marino  Faliero. 

ANOTHER  morning  called  the  Venetians  to  theii 
affairs.  Agents  of  the  police  had  been  active  is 
preparing  the  public  mind,  and  as  the  sun  rose 
above  the  narrow  sea,  the  squares  began  to  fill. 
There  were  present  the  curious  citizen  in  his  cloak 


THE  BRAVO.  467 

and  oap,  bare-legged  laborers  in  wondering  awe, 
the  circumspect  Hebrew  in  his  gaberdine  and 
beard,  masked  gentlemen,  and  many  an  attentive 
stranger  from  among  the  thousands  who  still  fre 
quented  that  declining  mart.  It  was  rumored  that 
an  act  of  retributive  justice  was  about  to  take  place, 
for  the  peace  of  the  town  and  the  protection  of  the 
citizen.  In  short,  curiosity,  idleness,  and  revenge, 
with  all  the  usual  train  of  human  feelings,  had 
drawn  together  a  multitude  eager  to  witness  the 
agonies  of  a  fellow-creature. 

The  Dalmatians  were  drawn  up,  near  the  sea,  in 
a  manner  to  inclose  the  two  granite  columns  of  the 
Piazzetta.  Their  grave  and  disciplined  faces  fronted 
inwards,  towards  the  African  pillars,  those  well- 
known  land-marks  of  death.  A  few  grim  warriors, 
of  higher  rank,  paced  the  flags  before  the  troops, 
while  a  dense  crowd  filled  the  exterior  space.  By 
special  favor,  more  than  a  hundred  fishermen  were 
grouped  within  the  armed  men,  witnesses  that  their 
class  had  revenge.  Between  the  lofty  pedestals  of 
St.  Theodore  and  the  winged  lion  lay  the  block  and 
ax,  the  basket  and  the  saw-dust ;  the  usual  accom 
paniments  of  justice  in  that  day.  By  their  side; 
stood  the  executioner. 

At  length  a  movement  in  the  living  mass  drew 
every  eye  towards  the  gate  of  the  palace.  A  mur 
mur  arose,  the  multitude  waved,  and  a  small  body 
of  the  Sbirri  came  into  view.  Their  steps  were 
swift,  like  the  march  of  destiny.  The  Dalmatians 
opened  to  receive  these  ministers  of  fate  into  their 
bosom,  and  closing  their  ranks  again  appeared  to 
preclude  the  world,  with  its  hopes,  from  the  con 
demned.  On  reaching  the  block  between  the  col- 
umus,  the  Sbirri  fell  off  in  files,  waiting  at  a  little 
distance,  while  Jacopo  was  left  before  the  engines 
of  death,  attended  by  his  ghostly  counsellor,  the 


468  THE    BRAVO 

Carmelite.     The  action  left  them  open  to  the  gaze 
of  the  throng. 

Father  Anselmo  was  in  the  usual  attire  of  a  bare 
footed  friar  of  his  order.  The  cowl  of  the  holy  man 
was  thrown  back,  exposing  his  mortified  lineaments, 
and  self-examining  eye,  to  those  around.  The  ex 
pression  of  his  countenance  was  that  of  bewildered 
uncertainty,  relieved  by  frequent,  but  fitful,  glim 
merings  of  hope.  Though  his  lips  moved  constantly 
in  prayer,  his  looks  wandered,  by  an  irrepressible 
impulse,  from  one  window  of  the  doge's  palace  to 
another.  He  took  his  station  near  the  condemned, 
however,  and  thrice  crossed  himself,  iervently. 

Jacopo  had  tranquilly  placed  his  person  before 
the  block.  His  head  was  bare,  his  cheek  colorless, 
his  throat  and  neck  uncovered  to  the  shoulders,  his 
body,  in  its  linen,  and  the  rest  of  his  form,  was  claa 
in  the  ordinary  dress  of  a  gondolier.  He  kneeled, 
with  his  face  bowed  to  the  block,  repeated  a  prayer, 
and  rising  he  faced  the  multitude,  with  dignity  and 
composure.  As  his  eye  moved  slowly  over  the 
array  of  human  countenances  by  which  he  was  en 
vironed,  a  hectic  glowed  on  his  features,  for  not 
one  of  them  all  betrayed  sympathy  in  his  sufferings. 
His  breast  heaved,  and  those  nearest  to  his  person 
thought  the  self-command  of  the  miserable  man  was 
about  to  fail  him.  The  result  disappointed  expect 
ation.  There  was  a  shudder,  and  the  limbs  settled 
into  repose. 

"  Thou  hast  looked  in  vain,  among  the  multitude, 
for  a  friendly  eye  1 "  said  the  Carmelite,  whose  at 
tention  had  been  drawn  to  the  convulsive  move 
ment. 

"  None  here  have  pity  for  an  assassin." 

"  Remember  thy  Redeemer,  son.     He  suffered 
ignominy  and  death,  for  a  race  that  denied  his  God 
hea'd,  and  derided  his  sorrows/' 


THE   BRAVO.  469 

Jacopo  crossed  himself,  and  bowed  his  head,  in 
reverence. 

"  Hast  thou  more  prayers  to  repeat,  father  1 "  de 
manded  the  chief  of  the  Sbirri ;  he  who  was  par 
ticularly  charged  with  the  duty  of  the  hour. 
"  Though  the  illustrious  councils  are  so  sure  in  jus 
tice,  they  are  merciful  to  the  souls  of  sinners." 

"  Are  thy  orders  peremptory  ?  "  asked  the  monk, 
unconsciously  fixing  his  eye,  again,  on  the  windows 
of  the  palace.  "  Is  it  certain  that  the  prisoner  is  to 
die?" 

The  officer  smiled  at  the  simplicity  of  the  ques 
tion,  but  with  the  apathy  of  one  too  much  familiar 
ized  with  human  suffering,  to  admit  of  compassion. 

"Do  any  doubt  it?"  he  rejoined.  "  It  is  the  lot 
of  man,  reverend  monk ;  and  more  especially  is  it 
the  lot  of  those  on  whom  the  judgment  of  St.  Mark 
has  alighted.  It  were  better  that  your  penitent  look 
ed  to  his  soul." 

"  Surely  thou  hast  thy  private  and  exptess  com 
mands!  They  have  named  a  minute,  when  this 
bloody  work  is  to  be  performed  ? " 

"  Holy  Carmelite,  I  have.  The  time  will  not  be 
weary,  and  you  will  do  well  to  make  the  most  of  it, 
unless  you  have  faith,  already,  in  the  prisoner's  con 
dition." 

As  he  spoke,  the  officer  threw  a  glance  at  the 
dial  of  the  square,  and  walked  coolly  away.  The 
action  left  the  priest  and  the  prisoner  again  alone, 
between  the  columns.  It  was  evident  that  the  for 
mer  could  not  yet  believe  in  the  reality  of  the  exe 
cution. 

"  Hast  thou  no  hope,  Jacopo?"  he  asked. 

"  Carmelite,  in  my  God." 

"  They  cannot  commit  this  wrong !  I  shrived 
Antonio— I  witnessed  his  fate,  and  the  prince  knows 
it!" 

"  What  is  a  prince  and  his  justice,  where  the  self- 
2R 


470  THE   BRAVO. 

ishness  of  a  few  rules !  Father,  thou  art  new  in  the 
senate's  service." 

"  I  shall  not  presume  to  say  that  God  will  blast 
those  who  do  this  deed,  for  we  cannot  trace  the 
mysteries  of  his  wisdom.  This  life,  and  all  this 
world  can  offer,  are  but  specks  in  his  omniscient 
eye,  and  what  to  us  seems  evil,  may  be  pregnant 
with  good. — Hast  thou  faith  in  thy  Redeemer,  Ja- 
copo?" 

The  prisoner  laid  his  hand  upon  his  heart,  and 
smiled,  with  the  calm  assurance  that  none  but  those 
who  are  thus  sustained  can  feel. 

"  We  will  again  pray,  my  son." 

The  Carmelite  and  Jacopo  kneeled,  side  by  side, 
the  latter  bowing  his  head  to  the  block,  while  the 
monk  uttered  a  final  appeal  to  the  mercy  of  the 
Deity.  The  former  arose,  but  the  latter  continued 
in  the  suppliant  at*itude.  The  monk  was  so  full  of 
holy  thoughts,  tha :,  forgetting  his  former  wishes,  he 
was  nearly  content  the  prisoner  should  pass  into  the 
fruition  of  that  hope  which  elevated  his  own  mind. 
The  officer  and  executioner  drew  near,  the  former 
touching  the  arm  of  Father  Anselmo,  and  pointing 
towards  the  distant  dial. 

"  The  moment  is  near ;"  he  whispered,  more 
from  habit,  than  in  any  tenderness  to  the  prisoner. 

The  Carmelite  turned  instinctively  towards  the 
palace,  forgetting,  in  the  sudden  impulse,  all  but  his 
sense  of  earthly  justice.  There  were  forms  at  tha 
windows,  and  he  fancied  a  signal,  to  stay  the  im 
pending  blow,  was  about  to  be  given." 

"  Hold ! "  he  exclaimed.  "  For  the  love  of  Maria 
of  most  pure  memory,  be  not  too  hasty ! " 

The  exclamation  was  repeated  by  a  shrill  female 
voice,  and  then  Gelsomina,  eluding  every  effort  to 
arrest  her,  rushed  through  the  Dalmatians,  and 
reached  the  group  between  the  granite  columns. 


THE   BRAVO.  471 

Wonder  and  curiosity  agitated  the  multitude,  and  a 
deep  murmur  ran  through  the  square. 

"  'T  is  a  maniac  ! "  cried  one. 

"  'T  is  a  victim  of  his  arts ! "  said  another,  for 
when  men  have  a  reputation  for  any  particular  vice, 
.he  world  seldom  fails  to  attribute  all  the  rest. 

Gelsomina  seized  the  bonds  of  Jacopo,  and  en 
deavored,  frantically,  to  release  his  arms. 

"  I  had  hoped  thou  would'st  have  been  spared 
this  sight,  poor  Gessina ! "  said  the  condemned. 

"  Be  not  alarmed ! "  she  answered,  gasping  for 
breath.  "  They  do  it  in  mockery — 'tis  one  of  their 
wiles  to  mislead — but  they  cannot — no,  they  dare 
not  harm  a  hair  of  thy  head,  Carlo ! " 

"  Dearest  Gelsomina  ! " ^^-^  xmr  ^ir 

!L£tB£  ferffiern  'all.  They  are  angry  now,  but 
when  they  know  the  truth  they  will  love  thee,  Carlo, 
as  I  do." 

"  Bless  thee — bless  thee ! — I  would  thou  hadst 
not  come ! " 

"  Fear  not  for  me !  I  am  little  used  to  such  a 
crowd,  but  thou  wilt  see  that  I  shall  dare  to  speak 
them  fair,  and  to  make  known  the  truth  boldly.  I 
want  but  breath." 

"  Dearest !  Thou  hast  a  mother — a  father  to 
share  thy  tenderness.  Duty  to  them  will  make  tnee 
happy!" 

"  Now,  I  can  speak,  and  thou  shalt  see  how  I 
will  vindicate  thy  name." 

She  arose  from  the  arms  of  her  lover,  who,  not 
withstanding  his  bonds,  released  his  hold  of  her 
slight  form  with  a  reluctance  greater  than  that  with 
which  he  parted  with  life.  The  struggle  in  the 
mind  of  Jacopo  seemed  over.  He  bowed  his  head, 
passively,  to  the  block,  before  which  he  was  kneel 
ing,  and  it  is  probable,  by  the  manner  in  which  his 
nands  were  clasped,  that  he  prayed  for  her  who 


47 «  THE    BRAVO. 

left  him.  Not  so  Gelsomina.  Parting  her  hair,  ovef 
her  spotless  forehead,  with  both  hands,  she  advanced 
towards  the  fishermen,  who  were  familiar  to  her  eye, 
by  their  red  caps  and  bare  limbs.  Her  smile  was 
like  that  which  the  imagination  would  bestow  on  the 
blessed,  in  their  intercourse  of  love. 

"  Venetians !"  she  said,  " I  cannot  blame  you;  ye 
are  here  to  witness  the  death  of  one  whom  ye  be 
lieve  unfit  to  live — " 

"  The  murderer  of  old  Antonio ! "  muttered  several 
of  the  group. 

"Ay,  even  the  murderer  of  that  aged  and  excel 
lent  man.  But,  when  you  hear  the  truth,  when  you 
come  to  know  that  he,  whom  you  have  believed  an 
republic,  a  gemfc'^fik&ka  faithful  servant  of  the 
will  change  your  bloody  purpose,  for  a'wikii^0^ 
justice." 

A  common  murmur  drowned  her  voice,  which 
was  so  trembling  and  low,  as  to  need  deep  stillness 
to  render  the  words  audible.  The  Carmelite  had 
advanced  to  her  side,  and  he  motioned  earnestly  for 
silence. 

"  Hear  her,  men  of  the  Lagunes !"  he  said ;  "  she 
utters  holy  truth." 

"  This  reverend  and  pious  monk,  with  Heaven,  is 
my  witness.  When  you  shall  know  Carlo  better, 
and  have  heard  his  tale,  ye  will  be  the  first  to  cry 
out  for  his  release.  I  tell  you  this,  that  when  the 
doge  shall  appear  at  yon  window  and  make  the  sig 
nal  of  mercy,  you  need  not  be  angry,  and  believe 
that  your  class  has  been  wronged.  Poor  Carlo — " 

"The  girl  raves!"  interrupted  the  moody  fisher 
men.  "  Here  is  no  Carlo,  but  Jacopo  Frontoni,  a 
common  bravo." 

Gelsomina  smiled,  in  the  security  of  the  innocent, 
and,  regaining  her  breath,  which  nervous  agitation 
still  disturbed,  she  resumed. 


THE  BRAVO.  473 

"  Carlo,  or  Jacopo — Jacopo,  or  Carlo — it  matters 
attle." 

"  Ha !  There  is  a  sign  from  the  palace !"  shouted 
the  Carmelite,  stretching  both  his  arms  in  that  di 
rection,  as  if  to  grasp  a  boon.  The  clarions  sound 
ed,  and  another  wave  stirred  the  multitude.  Gelso 
mina  uttered  a  cry  of  delight,  and  turned  to  throw 
herself  upon  the  bosom  of  the  reprieved.  The  ax 
glittered  before  her  eyes,  and  the  head  of  Jacopo 
rolled  upon  the  stones,  as  if  to  meet  her.  A  general 
movement  in  the  livim?  mass  denoted  the  end. 

The  Dalmatians  wneeled  into  column,  the  Sbirn 
pushed  aside  the  throng,  on  their  way  to  their 
haunts,  the  water  of  the  bay  was  dashed  upon  the 
flags,  the  clotted  saw-dust  was  gathered,  the  head 
and  trunk,  block,  basket,  ax,  and  executioner,  dis 
appeared,  and  the  crowd  circulated  around  the 
fatal  spot. 

During  this  horrible  and  brief  moment,  neither 
Father  Anselmo  nor  Gelsomina  moved.  All  was 
over,  and  still  the  entire  scene  appeared  to  be  de 
lusion. 

"  Take  away  this  maniac !"  said  an  officer  of  the 
police,  pointing  to  Gelsomina  as  he  spoke. 

He  was  obeyed  with  Venetian  readiness,  but  his 
words  proved  prophetic  before  his  servitors  had 
quitted  the  square.  Ine  Carmelite  scarce  breathed. 
He  gazed  at  the  moving  multitude,  at  the  windows 
of  the  palace,  and  at  the  sun  which  shone  so  glori 
ously  in  the  heavens 

"  Thou  art  lost  in  this  crowd !"  whispered  one  at 
his  elbow.  "  Reverend  Carmelite,  you  will  do  well 
to  follow  me." 

The  monk  was  too  much  subdued  to  hesitate.  His 
conductor  led  him,  by  many  secret  ways,  to  a  quay, 
where  he  instantly  embarked,  in  a  gondola,  for  the 
main.  Before  the  sun  reached  the  meridian,  the 
thoughtful  and  trembling  monk  was  on  his  iournev 
2R2  J 


474  THE   BRAVO. 

towards  the  states  of  the  Church :  and  ere  long  ha 
became  established  in  the  castle  of  Sant*  Agata. 

At  the  usual  hour  the  sun  fell  behind  the  moun 
tains  of  the  Tyrol,  and  the  moon  reappeared  above 
the  Lido.  The  narrow  streets  of  Venice,  again, 
poured  out  their  thousands  upon  the  squares.  The 
mild  light  fell  athwart  the  quaint  architecture,  and 
the  giddy  tower,  throwing  a  deceptive  glory  on  the 
city  of  islands. 

The  porticoes  became  brilliant  with  lamps,  the 
gay  laughed,  the  reckless  trifled,  the  masker  pursued 
his  hidden  purpose,  the  cantatrice  and  the  grotesque 
acted  their  parts,  and  the  million  existed  in  that  va 
cant  enjoyment  which  distinguishes  the  pleasures  of 
the  thoughtless  and  the  idle.  Each  lived  for  himself, 
while  the  state  of  Venice  held  its  vicious  sway,  cor 
rupting  alike  the  ruler  and  the  ruled,  by  its  mockery 
of  those  sacred  principles  which  are  alone  founded 
in  truth  and  natural  justice. 


THE   END. 


O 

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